Ep 136: “Before Spring Smacks You in the Seedlings: August Garden To-Do’s” Artwork

The Messed Up Gardener

Hello and Welcome to The Messed Up Gardener. This podcast covers all areas of gardening from a beginner, intermediate to advanced level. It covers gardening on any budget, any space, any place. There are no rules when it comes to me, and my gardens and I do it messy. There is nothing more fun than getting your hands dirty and creating that space that gives you joy and abundance. This podcast will give tips, tricks, hacks and methodology’s to make any space work from the tiny indoor garden to the rolling meadows with even a dash of bees and hydroponics thrown in. I have been a horticulturist for as long as I can remember and in the industry since I was 15 so that’s nearly 30 years of hands on gardening experience. I am really looking forward to being on this journey & doing it messy with you.

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The Messed Up Gardener

Ep 136: “Before Spring Smacks You in the Seedlings: August Garden To-Do’s”

August 03, 2025 • Esther Aitken

This week’s episode is bursting with everything you need to know to get a jumpstart on your spring garden — even if your backyard currently looks like a soggy mess!

Join me, Esther Williams, as I walk you through exactly what to plant, prep, plan, and prioritise in the first week of August so you don’t end up scrambling when spring finally hits. From garlic planting before the “oops window” closes, to giving your tools and seed stash the love they deserve, this episode is a practical, relaxed, muddy-boot kind of guide to making the most of right now — even if you’re still in your dressing gown.

We also chat about seed swaps, sneaky drainage observations, and yes… why cleaning your seed trays actually matters (even if they are currently stuffed in a spider-infested corner). I also spill the tea on why this episode was late, what my hubby and I got up to on our flower bulb road trip, and which power tool just became the star of our garden shed.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🌱 Segment 1 – The Truth About Timing:
Why early August is the secret weapon of organised gardeners — and how to start seeds without any fancy gear.

🧄 Segment 2 – Garlic, Shallots & the “Oops Window”:
If you’ve been putting it off, here’s your last call for garlic and shallots — plus the dos and don’ts that’ll keep them from rotting in your winter mud.

💧 Segment 3 – Soggy Garden Observations:
How to use flooding and puddles to your advantage — and why August is perfect for lazy weed wins and drainage detective work.

🧰 Segment 4 – The Unsexy But Crucial Stuff:
Tool TLC, seed tray scrubbing, garden sketching, and starting that “Never Again” garden list. It’s boring but it’s brilliant.

📦 Segment 5 – Seed Inventory & Seed Swap Prep:
Get your seed stash sorted, test what’s still viable, and start planning for swaps before the rush begins.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss a new garden chat! And if you have a gardening question or topic you’d love me to cover, send me a message—I’d love to hear from you.

🛠️ Ready to get more from your garden? Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss upcoming mini masterclasses packed with real talk, practical tips, and a little bit of garden messiness and share this episode with a fellow plant lovers!

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· A Step by Step guide on how to create your own DIY self-watering planters

https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters

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Freebies: Grab the

- "12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden: From Planning to Harvest" Practical Tips to Help You Grow a Flourishing Garden

- https://stan.store/EstherA

- Organic gardening Cheat Sheet: Natural methods for chemical free cultivation https://stan.store/EstherA

- Garden Goals Planning Worksheet https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now

Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget.