For the longest time, I thought August was a “wrap-up” month for gardening. Once the tomatoes were dwindling, and the zucchinis had taken over my refrigerator, I thought I was done for the season. Boy, was I wrong. August is actually the golden hour of gardening, provided you have done it just right, the soil is still warm, daylight is hanging on, and the cooler nights are coming. That is the sweet spot to plant a second wave of vegetables that will actually like fall.
So here is my bona fide list of nine vegetables to grow in August if you want your garden to burst back into life in September and October. These are not just random choices, I have grown every single one of these in my own backyard, sometimes unwittingly, or in a mad late-summer panic. Nonetheless, they would all flourish.
Radishes
First up: radishes. They are speedy little vegetables that are perfect for a gardener like me with no patience. I put them in shady gaps between other plants and in a couple of days, boom! By week three or four, I have crunchy, peppery radishes ready for salads or just snacking right out of the dirt. Radishes do not seem to mind the cooler nights and as long as you keep the soil moist, they will be happy little campers.
Lettuce
Lettuce, also a summer gem, grows well in August. You ever tried growing lettuce in July? It bolts faster than you can blink. But in August, once the night temps start to cool, it becomes softer, sweeter, and lusher. I go all out with loose-leaf varieties and butterheads. They can be sown every 10 days or so, just throw out the seeds and rake them in gently. This way, I can have baby greens all the way until October.
Spinach
Spinach is a fall classic for a reason. I had a notion that spinach was this fussy plant that only did well in the spring. But late summer is great for it too! The more it cools off, the sweeter and thicker the spinach leaves will be. Just give it decent drainage and if you don’t let it dry out, you will have a handful of deep green goodness come September. The added bonus is that it handles frost nicely.
Swiss Chard
And let me talk about Swiss chard. I completely ignored Swiss chard for years, thinking it was ornamental. But in July or August, I started popping it in my garden and it quickly became a staple. It’s tough as nails, it’s heat and cold tolerant, and the colored stems are such a presentation. The best part is that you can harvest it leaf by leaf and it just keeps coming. I have had some Swiss chard survive nearly until December when temperatures are mild!
Beets
In terms of roots, the beets will be the star of the cold season. I have learned that they are very forgiving if you plant them in August. They do take a little longer to grow than radishes, that’s for sure, but it is worth it once the temperatures start to cool down. The earthy sweetness builds even more after a mild frost. And take advantage of the beet greens because they are like getting the bonus crops you never knew you wanted.
Carrots
Carrots are another cool weather crop to grow. If I plant in August, I prefer the smaller, faster-maturing varieties. They take patience, but they grow more sweetness the colder it gets. I have pulled carrots in November that tasted as if they had been dipped in honey. Like beets, the important part is to keep the soil evenly moist to start, or they will get wonky looking. But still tasty.
Kale
Kale is my absolute favorite crop to grow in late summer, they are virtually bombproof. I almost feel like they were designed by nature to thrive in the chill. The leaves get more tender and flavorful after frost, and you can keep harvesting over and over. I usually have a few seedlings in August, but if you’re patient enough, they can be direct seeded.
Broccoli and Cauliflower
Broccoli and cauliflower are for the more committed gardener, and boy, when they work, it’s worth it. It does take some planning because they need 60 to 80 days, depending when your first frost is (hopefully not until late October or November). I start these as transplants in early August and baby them with some row cover on cold nights. Watching a perfect head of broccoli developing just as the leaves start falling is oddly satisfying.
Herbs
And lastly, herbs: cilantro and dill. These two bolt faster than you can say “sunburn” in the summer, but come August? They slow down! Cilantro especially loves the cooler days of fall. I’ve had whole patio planters full of it by mid to late September, just in time for all of the cozy soups and slow-cooked meals you’ve got on deck. Dill too, especially if you like pickling your late-season cucumbers.
So if you are looking out at your garden and thinking it is all downhill from here, I am here to say August is the underdog. This is not the end of the season, it is the beginning of a second chance. Grab that packet of seeds, water well, and accept that cooler days are a gift, not a curse. Some of my best harvests have happened far after the summer sun has faded. Honestly, your fall self will thank you.
