Seasonal Advice for August: Recipes, Gardening, Folklore

In August, we love to celebrate the fruits of the season. Homemade tomatoes, ripe melon, sweet corn on the cob, and more! Canning season is here, too, and you can find tips and recipes below. The end of the month signals the time to start preparing for autumn.

Summer declines and roses have grown rare,
But cottage crofts are gay with hollyhocks,
And in old garden walks you breathe an air
Fragrant of pinks and August-smelling stocks.
—John Todhunter (1839-1916)

Calendar

August is named in honor of the first Roman emperor, Augustus Caesar (63 B.C.– A.D. 14), who was the grandnephew of Julius Caesar.

August 1 traditionally marked the beginning of the serious harvest. "After Lammas Day, corn ripens as much by night as by day." See more about Lammas Day.

On August 17, Cat Nights Begin, harking back to a rather obscure Irish legend concerning witches; this bit of folklore also led to the idea that a cat has nine lives.

Recipes for the Season

Try some of our recipes featuring this month's crops to wrap up the summer:
Pickled Watermelon
Summer Corn Cakes
Great Zucchini Bread

See more summertime recipes at What's in Season: Summer Recipes.

The summer and fall are also popular times for family gatherings. See our Family Reunion Planner for lots of great recipe ideas.

Gardening

Planting a second (or third) crop? See our Succession Gardening chart.

For "how to" plant, care, and harvest common crops, see our free Plant Guides.

Remember to plant your fall bulbs now:
Growing Guide: Fall–Planted Bulbs

Preserve the bounty of the season's harvest. Try your hand at Pickling and Canning!

See how to store your fruits, vegetables, and herbs for the coming winter.

Everyday Advice

Planning on finishing up outdoor house projects before the summer ends? See our Home Improvement pages on painting, flooring, wallpapering, roofing, and more.

Bugs buggin' you? Look to our natural remedies for insect bites and stings.

Astronomy

August is a wonderful month for star gazing! At a glance, see what's up in the August sky. 

In August 2012, we have two full Moons! See our August Full Moon Guide for details.

Folklore for the Season

• As August, so February.
• Observe on what day in August the first heavy fog occurs, and expect a hard frost on the same day in October.
• If the first week of August is unusually warm, The winter will be white and long.

Related Articles

• What's in Season: Summer Recipes!