If you garden in the South Surrey, White Rock, or Cloverdale area, you're working in one of the most forgiving climates in Canada. The relatively mild winters and long growing season mean August isn't the end of the story — it's the start of a whole second chapter.
Harvest Regularly to Keep Plants Producing
Zucchini, beans, cucumbers, and tomatoes will slow down or stop producing if fruits are left to fully ripen and go to seed on the plant. Check your vegetable beds every two to three days in August. Picking regularly tells the plant there's more work to do, extending your harvest well into September.
Start Your Fall and Winter Crops Now
This is the most underutilised opportunity in West Coast gardening. August is the ideal window for seeding or transplanting:
- Kale, chard, and spinach — direct sow now for fall harvests.
- Asian greens (bok choy, mizuna, tatsoi) — quick to establish and productive through late autumn.
- Garlic — technically planted in October, but now is the time to order or source your seed garlic so you're not left with whatever's leftover.
- Cover crops — if a bed is finishing up, a quick-growing cover crop like crimson clover or winter rye will protect the soil and add nutrients through the cooler months.
Water Deeply, Not Often
August tends to be dry on the South Coast. Deep, infrequent watering encourages roots to grow downward in search of moisture, making plants more resilient. Shallow, frequent watering does the opposite. Where possible, water at the base of plants in the early morning to reduce evaporation and discourage fungal issues.
Tidy Up to Prevent Problems Later
Remove spent plants, yellowing leaves, and any produce that has rotted before it becomes a habitat for pests or disease. A clean garden bed in August makes fall planting much easier — and reduces the pest population you'll carry into next spring.
Enjoy It
This is also just a wonderful time to be outside. Even 20 minutes in the garden in the cool of the morning has genuine wellbeing benefits — connection with nature, light physical activity, and the quiet satisfaction of watching something grow. Don't let the task list overwhelm the pleasure of it.