What to Plant in August for a Thriving Late Season Garden

August might seem like the backside end of the growing season , but it ’s in reality a terrific fourth dimension to plant a variety of crop that will thrive in the cooler months forward . Whether you ’re looking to widen your vegetable garden or bring some color to your flower bed , there are plenty of choice that will keep your garden flourishing well into the fall . I ’ve found that some of my most rewarding harvests fare from crops planted in August , and there ’s something peculiarly satisfying about tending to a garden that ’s still bursting with life as the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. produce shorter .

I have sex it can be dishearten when summer plants come out to slicing , but do n’t flow up your gardening gloves just yet ! With the good choices , you could keep your garden productive and beautiful for week to come . In this clause , I ’ll share some of my favored plants to sow in August , focusing on both vegetables and flowers that are well - suited for a late - season garden . Whether you ’re an experient nurseryman or just start out out , these works are certain to play joy and bounty to your garden as the season transitions .

Leafy Greens: A Quick Turnaround for Nutritious Harvests

Leafy greens are one of the good pick for constitute in August , especially if you ’re looking for a quick - growing crop that can be harvested in as little as a few weeks . Spinacia oleracea , kale , and arugula are particularly well - suited for late - summertime planting . These greens boom in cooler temperatures and are less likely to gobble ( go to source ) as the days shorten and the nighttime cool down . Plus , they ’re packed with nutrient , making them a healthy addition to your nightfall repast .

I ’ve always appreciated how versatile leafy greens can be in the garden . Not only do they develop quickly , but they also do well in partial shade , which can be a blessing as the sunshine ’s intensity level wanes in late summertime . Many leafy greens , like scratch , can even withstand light icing , which mean you could be harvesting sweet , homegrown greens well into the fall . To keep your putting surface growing strong , check that to water them consistently , specially during any recent summertime heatwaves , and take add a layer of mulch to help hold back soil moisture .

Carrots: Sweet Roots for Fall Harvest

Carrots are another fantastic option for August planting . While they take a moment longer to mature than leafy greens , the cooler weather of late summer and early autumn aid them develop a sweeter flavor . carrot thrive in unaffixed , well - drained stain , so it ’s worth taking the time to gear up your beds by removing any stones or clumps that could embarrass root developing . reckon for shorter varieties like ‘ Nantes ’ or ‘ Chantenay ’ if you ’re exploit with heavy filth or need a quick harvest .

One of the thing I screw about develop carrots is how they store well in the garden even after the first frosts . In fact , the cold weather actually enhance their sweet , making them a delicious addition to fall and wintertime meals . If you ’re disturbed about pest like cultivated carrot flies , consider planting your carrots under a all right interlocking cover to keep these pests at bay . Another peak is to mix your Daucus carota sativa seeds with sand before sowing to ascertain even dispersion and void overcrowding , which can run to misshapen roots .

Radishes: Speedy and Satisfying

Radishes are one of the quickest crops you may grow , often quick to glean in just three to four weeks . This make them an splendid pick for August planting , especially if you ’re eager to see resolution before the season ends . Radishes thrive in cooler temperatures and can be planted successively every pair of weeks for a continuous crop . They make out in a variety of colors and chassis , from the Hellenic red round Raphanus sativus longipinnatus to long , icicle - shaped miscellany .

What I find peculiarly fun about radishes is how they can add a spicy crush to your salads and stunner with minimum exertion . They ’re also slap-up for intercropping with slower - growing veggie like carrots or gelt , earn efficient use of your garden space . radish are relatively pest - resistive , but do watch out for root maggot , which can be a problem in some areas . To prevent these pests , practice craw gyration and deflect planting daikon in the same spot year after twelvemonth .

Turnips: A Dual-Purpose Delight

Turnips are an often - command crop that really shine in the late summertime garden . Both the roots and the Green River are edible , making them a versatile addition to your repast . Turnips favour cooler weather and can be sown directly in the garden in August for a fall harvest . They grow well in unaffixed , fertile soil , so it ’s worth taking the time to cultivate in some compost before planting .

One of the reasons I love growing turnips is that they ’re so easy to care for , yet they bid so much in return . The roots are ready to harvest in about 60 days , and they can be stored for several calendar month in a nerveless , moody plaza . The greens , which can be harvested earlier , are packed with nutrients and add a peppery tone to salads or cooked dishes . If you ’re dealing with modified garden space , turnips are a cracking option because you ’re essentially get two crop in one !

Beets: Colorful and Cold-Hardy

Beets are another first-class choice for August planting , offer both eatable roots and nutritious greens . They ’re relatively quick to grow , with most varieties ready to glean in about 50 to 60 day . Beets favour well - drained soil with mountain of organic topic , so deal adding compost or older manure to your garden bed before planting . If you ’ve never uprise beets before , you ’re in for a goody — they’re easy to grow , and their vibrant colors make them a standout in any garden .

One of the great thing about beetroot is their cold - hardiness . They can suffer scant frosts , which means you’re able to continue harvesting them well into the fall . I ’ve find that beets store well in the footing , so there ’s no upsurge to rip them all at once . Just check that to mulch heavily as the weather condition cools to protect the radical from freezing . Whether you ’re roasting the roots or sautéing the greens , Beta vulgaris are a nutrient and versatile add-on to your late - season garden .

Bush Beans: A Quick Bean Bounty

If you ’re looking for a quick - farm vegetable to plant in August , bush beans are a fantastic option . These compact plants grow apace , often producing a craw within 50 to 60 days , relieve oneself them perfect for squeezing in a last - instant harvest before the first frost . Bush beans choose quick soil and spate of sunshine , so select a cheery spot in your garden for planting .

What I appreciate about bush beans is how they keep producing as long as you keep picking them ! This means you may enjoy multiple harvests from a undivided planting . While they ’re by and large low - maintenance , it ’s important to keep an eye out for cuss like bean beetle , which can damage the parting and pods . Planting marigold or nasturtiums nearby can help oneself discourage these pestilence of course . Plus , beans are nitrogen - fixers , which mean they meliorate the soil for future crop — a winnings - winnings for your garden !

Swiss Chard: A Resilient Green with a Pop of Color

Swiss chard is one of those vegetables that just keep on gift . It ’s implausibly lively , able-bodied to withstand both heating and cold , reach it an ideal choice for August planting . Swiss chard grows quickly and can be harvested continuously throughout the surrender . Its vivacious radical , which do in a range of mountains of colour from bright yellowed to deep Red River , add a splash of color to your garden as well as your collection plate .

I ’ve always look up to Swiss chard for its versatility in the kitchen and its hardiness in the garden . Unlike prickly-seeded spinach , which can bolt out in the heat , Swiss chard remains productive through a wide range of temperature . Plus , it ’s relatively pest - resistant , although you might find the occasional leaf miner . Regularly inspect the undersides of the leaf and remove any affected foliation can avail keep your plants healthy . Whether you ’re sautéing the foliage or using them in salads , Swiss chard is a nutritious and beautiful addition to any previous - season garden .

Broccoli: A Cool-Season Favorite

Broccoli is another coolheaded - season craw that thrives when imbed in August . While it ’s typically uprise as a fountain or fall veggie , starting it in late summertime allows it to suppurate as the weather chill , result in sweeter , more tender head . Broccoli favour fertile , well - run out soil with lot of constitutive matter , so be certain to enrich your garden beds before planting .

One of the thing I line up most rewarding about growing broccoli is that it often bring on side shoots after the main head is harvested , extending the harvest time of year even further . Broccoli can be prone to pests like cabbage worms , so it ’s a respectable idea to enshroud your industrial plant with row covers or use constitutional pest control like Bacillus thuringiensis ( Bt ) to protect them . With proper care , you ’ll be enjoying homegrown broccoli well into the fall — a lawful garden - to - table treat !

Conclusion: Embrace the Late Season!

As August rolls on , do n’t let the fading days of summer discourage you from planting something new . With the right choice , you’re able to keep your garden rich and colorful well into the fall . Whether you ’re sow tight - growing commons or train for a dusk harvest time of root veggie , there ’s plenty of clock time to make the most of your garden . I desire you ’re as excited as I am to keep rear your plants through these final months of the growing season .