What to plant in August

August is the primary transplanting and direct-sowing month for the fall garden in zones 5–8. Broccoli, cabbage, kale, lettuce, spinach, beets, turnips, and carrots all go in the ground this month. In zones 8–10, August is equivalent to March — the start of the cool-season garden

August is the busiest month of the fall planting calendar. The seeds you started indoors in July become transplants that go into the ground in August. New cool-season seeds go directly in the soil. The summer garden needs managing. It's a lot.

Transplant outdoors in August

Fall broccoli and cabbage

Broccoli and cabbage transplants started indoors in July are ready for outdoor planting in early-to-mid August in zone 6–7 (when they're 4–6 weeks old with stocky stems).

Per Penn State Extension, "transplant brassicas on a cloudy day or in late afternoon to reduce heat stress." Water immediately after transplanting. In August heat, expect some wilting for the first 2–4 days even with adequate watering.

Shade cloth helps: Per NC State Extension, "temporary shade over transplants reduces heat stress and improves establishment rates significantly." A piece of shade cloth (30–40% light reduction) on stakes above the transplant row makes a meaningful difference.

Spacing: Broccoli 18 inches, cabbage 18–24 inches, Brussels sprouts 24 inches. These mature into large plants — don't crowd them.

Kale and Swiss chard transplants

Kale transplants started in July are ready for the garden in August. Kale is more heat-tolerant than broccoli and often establishes better in late-summer conditions. Per Penn State Extension, "kale transplants in zone 6–7 planted in August produce the best fall crop, maturing in October–November after frost exposure has sweetened the leaves."

Chard is nearly as cold-hardy as kale and tolerates the August heat during establishment. Per Clemson HGIC, Swiss chard "can withstand light frosts" and continues producing in zone 7 until hard freezes in November.

Fall lettuce transplants (zones 6–7)

Lettuce transplants started indoors in late July can go outdoors in mid-to-late August as temperatures begin to moderate. Per Cornell Cooperative Extension, "fall lettuce transplanted in late August produces harvest from September through early November in zone 6–7."

Choose bolt-resistant, heat-tolerant varieties for August transplanting. Even with moderate August temperatures, young transplants need consistent moisture and partial shade for the first week.