Highs and lows of August

For some reason I always take my eye of the ball in August. I think the garden has peaked for the year and I relax a little and sometimes even become somewhat disappointed with it. Depending on the year, I'm pleased or start planning to do better next year.
The manic sowing and raising of spring and the planting and tending of early summer is all over and you are, hopefully, reaping the rewards of your hard work. Generally I am very pleased this year. The weather has been amazing with just enough rain to keep things alive, although it was touch and go on occasion.
I'm harvesting daily and giving produce away to grateful friends. My own family do make the odd comment about "beans again" but I love the glut and enjoy the season of plenty.  

This is a plant combination which I am pleased with. Rudbekia 'Goldsturm' with grasses and crocosmia behind. Usually these flowers are eaten by slugs but they look great so far. More of the slugs later!

This is a gorgeous dianthus which I dug up and put in a pot as it looked very sad. I has now produced one flower and has a sweet perfume. 
I think the slug damage was reduced during the hot spell but they are by no means eliminated. I planted my dahlia tubers in pots in March or April and then planted them out in the borders. I have just dug them up and put them back in the pots as they are eaten to shreds. 

Valiantly flowering in spite of having no leaves.

Another flower on a half dead plant.

What a sorry set of pictures. I should have paid closer attention. I have used the organic, friendly slug pellets but I don't find them extremely effective and I have run out anyway. I don't use the older kind as they are harmful to wildlife but they are efficient at being harmful to slugs. I haven't had any of those for years but someone who could produce a friendly, reasonably priced, effective slug killer could make a fortune. 
I know these dahlias will survive but I don't think I'll have many flowers this year.

I'm interested in the difference in these courgette plants:

This is two plants.

This is one plant.

I planted them at the same time into two beds the same size.  I had plenty of plants so I planted two into each bed. Then a week or so later I dug one up and gave it to friend. The one on it's own is easily twice as big as it has more room. 
I know this but every year I cram things in. I hope I'll learn this time. 
I know they look rather mildewed. I have cut some leaves off and tried the milk spray mentioned here at Veg Plotting. It rained soon after so probably wasn't very effective initially. The plants are still productive and, to be honest, a bit of slowing down wouldn't be a problem!
To end with- a couple of resounding successes:

Rudbekia Irish Spring

Rudbekia Rustic Dwarfs

So cheerful and great as cut flowers. They last for ages.These are annuals whereas the ones mentioned above are perennial.