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! Follow our Journey on our Facebook Pages The Messed Up Gardener Or Shesther’s Mushrooms Or Grab · 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 Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees. 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.
