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.

Direct sow outdoors in August

Spinach

Per Penn State Extension, "spinach is one of the most reliable fall crops" when direct-sown in late August in zones 5–7. Sow August 15–31 for zone 6–7; August 1–15 for zone 5.

Spinach germinates best at soil temperatures of 45–70°F, but August soil is often warmer than this. Per Penn State Extension, pre-chilling seeds in a damp paper towel in the refrigerator for 5–7 days before sowing "improves germination in warm soil." Sow 1/2 inch deep; germination in 7–14 days.

Lettuce, arugula, and mâche

Direct-sow fall lettuce in late August for zone 6–7. In zone 5, direct sow early August. Arugula germinates readily in August and produces harvest in 30–40 days. Mâche (corn salad) is extremely cold-hardy — sow in August for harvest that continues well into November, or even December with protection.

Per Penn State Extension, "arugula sown in late August produces multiple harvests before winter in zone 6–7."

Radishes

Fast producers (25–30 days to harvest). Sow radishes in late August for a September harvest. Multiple successions every 2 weeks can keep radishes coming until frost.

Beets

Per Penn State Extension, "beets sown 50–60 days before first fall frost produce the best harvest." For zone 7 (first frost October 20): sow August 20–31. For zone 6 (first frost October 15): sow August 1–15.

Fall beets are often sweeter than spring-planted beets because they mature in cooling temperatures. Per NC State Extension, "beets exposed to light frosts develop sweeter flavor."

Carrots

Fall carrots take longer (65–80 days) than fast crops like radishes or arugula. For zone 7 (first frost ~October 20), the math: October 20 minus 80 days = August 1. Direct sow fall carrots in early August in zone 7.

Consistent moisture is essential for carrot germination in warm August conditions. Per Penn State Extension, "cover the seeded row with burlap or a board to retain moisture, removing it when sprouts appear."

Turnips and daikon radish

Turnips are one of the easiest and fastest fall crops. Per Penn State Extension, "turnips mature in 35–60 days from seeding." Sow in August for zone 6–7 harvest in September–October.

Daikon radish can be direct-sown in August as a soil-improving cover crop — the deep taproot breaks up compaction. Per University of Minnesota Extension, daikon radish used as a "tillage radish" can improve compacted soils when planted as a fall cover crop.

What to plant in zones 8–10 in August

In zones 8–10, August is equivalent to late February/March for cool-season crops. The entire cool-season planting calendar begins this month.

Zone 8 (Atlanta, Charlotte): Per Clemson HGIC, "the fall garden in zone 8 begins with August transplanting of broccoli, cabbage, and collards." Direct sow kale, turnips, and mustard greens outdoors in late August.

Zone 9 (Houston, Gulf Coast): Per Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, "August is the primary fall planting month for South Texas and the Gulf Coast." Plant: broccoli transplants (started in July), cabbage, lettuce transplants, carrots, beets. Direct sow: spinach (after soil cools below 80°F), green onions.

Zone 10 (South Florida, California desert): Per UF IFAS Extension, "August through October is the optimal planting period for cool-season vegetables in South Florida." The heat is still intense in early August — begin with heat-tolerant types (sweet potato, Malabar spinach, okra) and transition to cool-season crops as temperatures moderate in September–October.

August ornamental tasks

Plant fall-blooming bulbs: naked ladies, colchicum, fall crocus

Colchicum (Colchicum autumnale) and autumn crocus (Crocus speciosus) are planted as dry corms in August for fall bloom. Per Missouri Botanical Garden, "colchicum should be planted in August for fall flowering" — they often bloom within weeks of planting, sometimes even before they've produced roots.

Do not prune spring-blooming shrubs

August is when spring-blooming shrubs (forsythia, lilac, azalea, viburnum) begin forming next year's flower buds. Per Penn State Extension, "pruning spring-blooming shrubs after August removes flower buds for the following season." Prune these immediately after flowering in spring only.

Hydrangea note

Per University of Minnesota Extension, "Hydrangea macrophylla and H. quercifolia form flower buds in late August" for the following year's bloom. Avoid pruning these species after August 1.

In my zone 7a beds, I prune mophead hydrangeas immediately after their summer bloom — which ends by late July. By the time August arrives, I leave them alone entirely until the following summer.

Regional guide for August

Northeast (zones 5–7)

Transplant: fall broccoli, cabbage, kale indoors-started transplants. Direct sow: spinach, lettuce, arugula, beets, turnips, carrots. Key deadline: most sowing should be complete by August 20 in zone 6, August 31 in zone 7.

Southeast (zones 7–9)

Zone 8: Begin fall brassica planting in earnest. Direct sow greens, root crops. Zone 9: Full fall garden kickoff.

Midwest (zones 4–6)

Zone 5: Early August is last chance for some fall crops. Per University of Minnesota Extension, "zone 5 fall planting window closes quickly in August." Focus on fast crops (radishes, lettuce, arugula).

Pacific Northwest (zones 7–9)

Excellent growing conditions for fall planting. Per Oregon State Extension, "August direct sowings of spinach, beets, and carrots are highly reliable in the Willamette Valley." Start brassica transplants indoors in late July for August outdoor planting.

State planting calendars

• New York: /planting/ny/
• Pennsylvania: /planting/pa/
• Georgia: /planting/ga/
• Texas: /planting/tx/

Common mistakes

Frequently asked

What's the last date to plant in zone 7 in August?

For most fall crops: August 20–31 is the practical deadline for direct sowing in zone 7 (first frost ~October 20). Fast crops (radishes, arugula) can be sown into September. Broccoli transplants should be in the ground by August 15 at the latest.

Can I plant strawberries in August?

Yes. Per Penn State Extension, "fall planting of strawberry plants (everbearing and day-neutral types) in August or September is effective in zones 5–7." Plants establish over fall and winter, producing a full crop the following spring and summer.

Is it worth planting a fall garden if it's only a few weeks?

Yes — particularly if you're growing quick crops. A September harvest of arugula, radishes, spinach, and beet greens is entirely achievable from an August sowing in zone 7. Per Penn State Extension, "many gardeners find the fall garden more pleasant and less pest-prone than the summer garden."

Sources

1. Penn State Extension — Fall Vegetable Planting
2. NC State Extension — Fall Brassicas
3. Clemson HGIC — Fall Vegetables
4. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension — Fall Planting Guide
5. Cornell Cooperative Extension — Fall Lettuce
6. University of Minnesota Extension — Fall Garden
7. UF IFAS Extension — South Florida Vegetable Planting
8. Missouri Botanical Garden — Fall Bulbs