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What to Plant in August for a Fall Garden
August might seem like the wrong time to plant a garden, especially when the temperatures are still hot, and your summer garden is producing plenty of vegetables. But August is actually a great time to start planning and planting a fall garden.
As summer crops begin to slow down, you can fill those empty spaces with vegetables that prefer the cooler temperatures of late summer and fall. Many cool-season vegetables grow quickly enough to give you a harvest before the first frost.
The key is choosing vegetables that have enough time to mature in your area. Check the days to maturity on the seed packet and count backward from your area’s average first frost date. You may also want to give yourself a little extra time if your weather tends to cool down early.
Here are some of the best vegetables to plant in August for a fall garden.
Radishes
Radishes are one of the easiest vegetables to plant in August because they grow quickly.
Many varieties are ready to harvest in about three to six weeks. They also prefer cooler temperatures, which makes late summer and early fall an excellent time to grow them.
Sow the seeds directly in the garden and keep the soil evenly moist while they germinate.
If you’ve had trouble growing radishes in the spring because they quickly become hot and woody, try growing them as a fall crop instead.
Carrots
August can be a good time to plant carrots for a fall harvest, particularly in areas with a long growing season.
Carrots grow best in loose, well-drained soil. Work out any large clumps before planting and keep the soil moist until the tiny seeds germinate.
Carrots can tolerate cool temperatures, and some varieties can even be left in the ground after a light frost.
Beets
Beets are another good cool-season vegetable to plant in August.
You can harvest the roots when they reach the size you prefer, and don’t forget about the greens. Young beet greens can be cooked just like other leafy greens.
Beets don’t require a huge amount of space, making them a good choice if you’re planting a fall garden in a small area.
Lettuce
Lettuce grows best in cooler weather, so late summer planting can give you a nice crop of fresh greens in the fall.
If August temperatures are still extremely hot in your area, you may have better luck starting lettuce seeds in a partially shaded location or waiting until temperatures begin to moderate.
Keep the soil consistently moist while the seeds are getting established.
For a continuous harvest, plant a small amount every week or two rather than planting everything at once.
Spinach
Spinach is another excellent choice for a fall garden.
It prefers cool temperatures and can grow surprisingly well as the weather begins to cool down. In many areas, you can harvest young spinach leaves throughout the fall.
If your summers are especially hot, wait until temperatures begin to come down before planting. Spinach seeds can have difficulty germinating in very warm soil.
Kale
Kale is one of my favorite vegetables for a fall garden because it handles cool weather very well.
You can start kale from seed or transplant young plants into the garden. Once established, it can provide a long harvest of fresh greens.
Cool temperatures can actually make kale taste sweeter, so don’t be in a hurry to pull it out when the weather starts getting chilly.
Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is a versatile vegetable that can give you a long harvest.
Depending on your growing zone, August planting can provide fresh leaves into fall. Harvest the outer leaves as needed and allow the center of the plant to continue growing.
If you’re looking for a vegetable that provides both food and a little color in the garden, Swiss chard is a great option.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a popular fall garden crop because it prefers cooler weather.
In many areas, August is a good time to transplant young broccoli plants. Starting broccoli from seed in the middle of summer can be more challenging because of the heat, so transplants may be the easier option.
Broccoli needs enough time to mature before freezing temperatures arrive, so check the days to maturity and your local frost date before planting.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower can also be grown as a fall crop, although it can be a little more particular than broccoli.
It prefers consistent temperatures and even moisture. Extreme heat can make it difficult to get good heads, which is why a fall crop can work particularly well.
If you’re planting cauliflower in August, choose a variety with enough time to mature before your first frost.
Green Onions
Green onions are an easy addition to a fall garden.
They don’t require much space and can be planted in rows or tucked into open areas between other crops.
Because you’re harvesting the green tops rather than waiting for large bulbs to form, they can be ready relatively quickly.
Peas
Peas prefer cooler temperatures, making them a good candidate for a late summer or early fall garden in areas with enough growing time.
They don’t do well in extreme heat, however, so you may need to wait until temperatures begin to drop before planting.
Bush varieties are a good choice if you don’t have much room, while climbing varieties can make use of a trellis.
Turnips
Turnips are fast-growing and well suited to fall gardening.
Both the roots and greens are edible, giving you two harvests from one plant. They can be planted directly from seed and don’t need a lot of space.
Turnips also tolerate cool weather well, so they can continue producing as temperatures drop.
Bok Choy
Bok choy grows quickly and is especially well suited to a fall garden.
It can be planted from seed or transplants and is generally ready to harvest much sooner than many larger vegetables.
Because bok choy can bolt in hot weather, growing it as the temperatures cool down can make it much easier to get tender, usable plants.
What About Planting Herbs in August?
Don’t forget about herbs when you’re planning your fall garden.
You may still be able to plant or transplant herbs such as:
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Dill
- Chives
- Thyme
Cilantro and parsley are particularly useful for a fall garden because they prefer cooler weather.
Some herbs can also be brought indoors at the end of the growing season so you can continue harvesting them during the winter.
What Should You Do Before Planting Your Fall Garden?
Before planting, take a little time to prepare your garden beds.
Remove plants that are finished producing and pull out weeds. If a summer vegetable plant is still healthy and producing, there’s no reason to remove it just to make room for a fall crop.
Add a layer of compost to areas that have been heavily used during the summer. This can help replenish the soil and give your new plants a good start.
If you’re planting in containers, refresh the potting mix and make sure the containers have adequate drainage.
Don’t Forget About Your First Frost Date
The most important thing to consider when planting a fall garden is your first expected frost date.
Look at the number of days to maturity listed on the seed packet. Then count backward from your average first frost date to determine whether you have enough time for the crop to mature.
For example, if a vegetable needs 45 days to mature, you don’t want to plant it only a few weeks before your first expected frost.
Keep in mind that the days to maturity listed on seed packets are estimates. Weather conditions can cause plants to mature more quickly or slowly.
Use Your Summer Garden Space
One of the easiest ways to start a fall garden is to reuse the space where your summer vegetables have finished producing.
As tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, beans, and other summer crops finish up, remove the spent plants and prepare the soil for another crop.
You don’t necessarily need a separate garden bed for your fall vegetables. Planting a second crop in the same space allows you to get more food from the garden you already have.
Can You Plant in August if It’s Still Very Hot?
Yes, but you may need to make a few adjustments.
Seeds can have trouble germinating in hot, dry soil. Keep newly planted areas consistently moist, and consider using shade cloth or planting in an area that receives some afternoon shade while temperatures are at their highest.
For some cool-season vegetables, it may be better to wait until the hottest part of summer has passed.
This is another reason to check your local growing conditions rather than following a specific calendar date. August can mean very different growing conditions depending on where you live.
August doesn’t mean the gardening season is over
August doesn’t mean the gardening season is over. In fact, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about your fall harvest.
Radishes, carrots, beets, lettuce, spinach, kale, broccoli, peas, turnips, and other cool-season vegetables can give you plenty of fresh produce as your summer garden begins to wind down.
Pay attention to your first frost date, choose varieties that will mature in time, and keep newly planted seeds and seedlings well watered while the weather is still hot.
With a little planning, you can enjoy fresh vegetables well into the fall instead of putting your garden away at the end of summer.
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