What to plant in August
What to start indoors, plant or sow outside, and harvest in August, for every hardiness zone from 3a to 10b. Find your zone, or enter your ZIP code for dates made for exactly where you live.
August in each zone
| Zone | Start indoors | Plant or sow outside | Harvest (food crops) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3a | — | Spinach, Kale, Radish, Arugula, Collard greens, Mustard greens, Mâche, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Tulip, Daffodil, Cereal rye, Hairy vetch, Austrian winter peas | Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Cucumber, Zucchini / Summer squash, Sweet corn, Green beans, Okra, Kale, Carrot, Peas, Swiss chard, Potato, Onion, Onion, Basil, Cannabis auto, Parsley, Dill, Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Leeks, Rutabaga, Shallots, Scallions, Snap peas, Pole beans, Lima beans, Southern peas, Tomatillo, Ground cherry, Strawberry, Raspberry, Blueberry, Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Mint, Lemon balm, Fennel, Chamomile, Tarragon, Borage, Cherry tomato, Hot pepper, Endive / escarole, Radicchio, Napa cabbage, Sorrel, Malabar spinach, Amaranth, Cucamelon, Blackberry, Raspberry, Grape, Currant, Gooseberry, Fig, Meyer lemon, Apple tree, Apricot tree, Thai basil, Summer savory, Marjoram, Catnip, Lovage, Garlic chives |
| Zone 3b | — | Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Radish, Cilantro, Arugula, Bok choy, Collard greens, Mustard greens, Turnip, Mâche, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Broccoli raab, Tulip, Daffodil, Pansy / viola, Crimson clover, Cereal rye, Hairy vetch, Austrian winter peas | Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Cucumber, Zucchini / Summer squash, Sweet corn, Green beans, Okra, Cantaloupe, Kale, Carrot, Swiss chard, Potato, Onion, Onion, Basil, Cannabis auto, Parsley, Dill, Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Leeks, Rutabaga, Shallots, Scallions, Pole beans, Lima beans, Southern peas, Edamame, Tomatillo, Ground cherry, Strawberry, Raspberry, Blueberry, Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Mint, Lemon balm, Fennel, Chamomile, Tarragon, Lavender, Borage, Cherry tomato, Hot pepper, Endive / escarole, Radicchio, Sorrel, Malabar spinach, Amaranth, Cucamelon, Blackberry, Raspberry, Grape, Currant, Gooseberry, Fig, Meyer lemon, Apple tree, Pear tree, Peach tree, Apricot tree, Plum tree, Thai basil, Summer savory, Marjoram, Catnip, Lovage, Garlic chives |
| Zone 4a | — | Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Beet, Radish, Swiss chard, Cilantro, Arugula, Bok choy, Collard greens, Kohlrabi, Mustard greens, Turnip, Calendula, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Broccoli raab, Chervil, Daffodil, Pansy / viola, Crimson clover, Cereal rye, Hairy vetch, Austrian winter peas | Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Cucumber, Zucchini / Summer squash, Sweet corn, Green beans, Okra, Cantaloupe, Kale, Swiss chard, Potato, Onion, Onion, Basil, Cannabis auto, Parsley, Dill, Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Leeks, Rutabaga, Shallots, Scallions, Artichoke, Pole beans, Lima beans, Southern peas, Edamame, Tomatillo, Ground cherry, Strawberry, Raspberry, Blueberry, Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Mint, Lemon balm, Fennel, Chamomile, Tarragon, Lavender, Borage, Cherry tomato, Hot pepper, Endive / escarole, Radicchio, Sorrel, Malabar spinach, Amaranth, Cucamelon, Blackberry, Raspberry, Grape, Currant, Gooseberry, Fig, Apple tree, Pear tree, Peach tree, Apricot tree, Plum tree, Thai basil, Lemongrass, Stevia, Summer savory, Marjoram, Catnip, Lovage, Garlic chives |
| Zone 4b | — | Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Beet, Radish, Swiss chard, Cilantro, Arugula, Bok choy, Collard greens, Kohlrabi, Mustard greens, Turnip, Scallions, Calendula, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Daikon radish, Broccoli raab, Chervil, Pansy / viola, Crimson clover, Oats, Cereal rye, Hairy vetch, Austrian winter peas | Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Cucumber, Zucchini / Summer squash, Winter squash, Sweet corn, Green beans, Dry beans, Okra, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Kale, Swiss chard, Potato, Onion, Onion, Basil, Cannabis auto, Parsley, Dill, Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Leeks, Parsnip, Rutabaga, Celery, Shallots, Scallions, Artichoke, Pole beans, Lima beans, Southern peas, Edamame, Tomatillo, Ground cherry, Strawberry, Raspberry, Blueberry, Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Mint, Lemon balm, Fennel, Chamomile, Tarragon, Lavender, Borage, Cherry tomato, Hot pepper, Endive / escarole, Radicchio, Sorrel, Malabar spinach, Amaranth, Cucamelon, Blackberry, Raspberry, Grape, Currant, Gooseberry, Elderberry, Fig, Apple tree, Pear tree, Peach tree, Apricot tree, Plum tree, Thai basil, Lemongrass, Stevia, Summer savory, Marjoram, Catnip, Lovage, Garlic chives |
| Zone 5a | — | Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Beet, Radish, Swiss chard, Cilantro, Arugula, Bok choy, Collard greens, Kohlrabi, Mustard greens, Turnip, Scallions, Calendula, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Daikon radish, Broccoli raab, Chervil, Pansy / viola, Crimson clover, Oats, Hairy vetch, Austrian winter peas | Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Cucumber, Zucchini / Summer squash, Winter squash, Sweet corn, Green beans, Dry beans, Okra, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Kale, Swiss chard, Potato, Onion, Basil, Cannabis auto, Parsley, Dill, Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Leeks, Parsnip, Rutabaga, Celery, Shallots, Scallions, Artichoke, Pole beans, Lima beans, Southern peas, Edamame, Tomatillo, Ground cherry, Strawberry, Blueberry, Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Mint, Lemon balm, Fennel, Chamomile, Tarragon, Lavender, Borage, Cherry tomato, Hot pepper, Endive / escarole, Sorrel, Malabar spinach, Amaranth, Popcorn, Cucamelon, Blackberry, Grape, Elderberry, Fig, Apple tree, Pear tree, Peach tree, Plum tree, Thai basil, Lemongrass, Stevia, Summer savory, Marjoram, Catnip, Lovage, Garlic chives |
| Zone 5b | Kale | Lettuce, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Beet, Peas, Swiss chard, Cilantro, Arugula, Bok choy, Collard greens, Kohlrabi, Mustard greens, Turnip, Scallions, Calendula, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Napa cabbage, Daikon radish, Broccoli raab, Chervil, Pansy / viola, Crimson clover, Oats, Hairy vetch, Austrian winter peas | Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Cucumber, Zucchini / Summer squash, Winter squash, Pumpkin, Sweet corn, Green beans, Dry beans, Okra, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Kale, Swiss chard, Onion, Basil, Cannabis auto, Parsley, Dill, Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Leeks, Parsnip, Rutabaga, Celery, Shallots, Artichoke, Pole beans, Lima beans, Southern peas, Edamame, Tomatillo, Ground cherry, Honeydew, Strawberry, Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Mint, Lemon balm, Fennel, Chamomile, Tarragon, Lavender, Borage, Cherry tomato, Hot pepper, Celeriac, Sorrel, Malabar spinach, Amaranth, Popcorn, Cucamelon, Blackberry, Grape, Elderberry, Fig, Apple tree, Pear tree, Peach tree, Plum tree, Thai basil, Lemongrass, Stevia, Summer savory, Marjoram, Catnip, Lovage, Garlic chives |
| Zone 6a | Kale, Collard greens | Lettuce, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Beet, Peas, Swiss chard, Cilantro, Arugula, Bok choy, Kohlrabi, Turnip, Scallions, Snap peas, Calendula, Radicchio, Napa cabbage, Daikon radish, Broccoli raab, Chervil, Pansy / viola, Crimson clover, Oats, Hairy vetch, Austrian winter peas | Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Cucumber, Zucchini / Summer squash, Winter squash, Pumpkin, Sweet corn, Dry beans, Okra, Sweet potato, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Swiss chard, Basil, Cannabis auto, Parsley, Dill, Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Leeks, Parsnip, Rutabaga, Celery, Artichoke, Pole beans, Lima beans, Southern peas, Edamame, Tomatillo, Ground cherry, Honeydew, Strawberry, Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Mint, Lemon balm, Fennel, Chamomile, Tarragon, Lavender, Borage, Cherry tomato, Hot pepper, Celeriac, Sorrel, Malabar spinach, Amaranth, Popcorn, Cucamelon, Grape, Elderberry, Fig, Apple tree, Pear tree, Peach tree, Plum tree, Thai basil, Lemongrass, Stevia, Summer savory, Marjoram, Catnip, Lovage, Garlic chives |
| Zone 6b | Kale, Collard greens | Lettuce, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Beet, Peas, Swiss chard, Cilantro, Bok choy, Kohlrabi, Rutabaga, Turnip, Scallions, Snap peas, Fennel, Calendula, Endive / escarole, Radicchio, Napa cabbage, Daikon radish, Broccoli raab, Chervil, Pansy / viola, Crimson clover, Oats | Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Zucchini / Summer squash, Winter squash, Pumpkin, Dry beans, Okra, Sweet potato, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Swiss chard, Basil, Cannabis auto, Parsley, Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Leeks, Parsnip, Celery, Artichoke, Pole beans, Lima beans, Southern peas, Edamame, Tomatillo, Ground cherry, Honeydew, Strawberry, Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Mint, Lemon balm, Tarragon, Lavender, Borage, Cherry tomato, Hot pepper, Celeriac, Sorrel, Malabar spinach, Amaranth, Popcorn, Cucamelon, Elderberry, Fig, Apple tree, Pear tree, Peach tree, Plum tree, Thai basil, Lemongrass, Stevia, Summer savory, Marjoram, Catnip, Lovage, Garlic chives |
| Zone 7a | Kale, Collard greens | Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Beet, Peas, Swiss chard, Kohlrabi, Rutabaga, Scallions, Snap peas, Fennel, Calendula, Endive / escarole, Radicchio, Napa cabbage, Daikon radish, Chervil, Crimson clover, Oats, White clover | Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Zucchini / Summer squash, Winter squash, Pumpkin, Dry beans, Okra, Sweet potato, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Swiss chard, Basil, Parsley, Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Leeks, Parsnip, Celery, Artichoke, Pole beans, Lima beans, Southern peas, Edamame, Tomatillo, Ground cherry, Honeydew, Strawberry, Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Mint, Lemon balm, Tarragon, Lavender, Borage, Cherry tomato, Hot pepper, Celeriac, Sorrel, Malabar spinach, Amaranth, Peanuts, Popcorn, Cucamelon, Elderberry, Fig, Apple tree, Pear tree, Peach tree, Thai basil, Lemongrass, Stevia, Summer savory, Marjoram, Catnip, Lovage, Garlic chives |
| Zone 7b | Kale, Collard greens | Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Peas, Cannabis auto, Rutabaga, Snap peas, Fennel, Endive / escarole, Radicchio, Napa cabbage, White clover | Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Winter squash, Pumpkin, Dry beans, Okra, Sweet potato, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Swiss chard, Basil, Parsley, Brussels sprouts, Leeks, Parsnip, Celery, Artichoke, Pole beans, Lima beans, Tomatillo, Ground cherry, Honeydew, Strawberry, Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Mint, Lemon balm, Tarragon, Lavender, Borage, Cherry tomato, Hot pepper, Celeriac, Sorrel, Malabar spinach, Peanuts, Popcorn, Cucamelon, Elderberry, Pear tree, Peach tree, Thai basil, Lemongrass, Stevia, Summer savory, Marjoram, Catnip, Lovage, Garlic chives |
| Zone 8a | Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Collard greens | Cauliflower, Peas, Cannabis auto, Rutabaga, Snap peas, Fennel, Endive / escarole, Radicchio, Napa cabbage, White clover | Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Winter squash, Pumpkin, Dry beans, Okra, Sweet potato, Swiss chard, Parsley, Leeks, Parsnip, Celery, Artichoke, Pole beans, Tomatillo, Ground cherry, Honeydew, Strawberry, Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Mint, Lemon balm, Tarragon, Cherry tomato, Hot pepper, Celeriac, Sorrel, Malabar spinach, Peanuts, Cucamelon, Pear tree, Thai basil, Lemongrass, Stevia, Summer savory, Marjoram, Catnip, Lovage, Garlic chives |
| Zone 8b | Kale, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Collard greens, Radicchio, Napa cabbage | Cannabis auto, Rutabaga, Snap peas, Fennel, Endive / escarole, Radicchio, Napa cabbage, White clover | Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Pumpkin, Okra, Swiss chard, Cannabis regular, Parsley, Leeks, Parsnip, Celery, Artichoke, Tomatillo, Ground cherry, Strawberry, Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Mint, Lemon balm, Tarragon, Cherry tomato, Hot pepper, Celeriac, Sorrel, Malabar spinach, Peanuts, Cucamelon, Thai basil, Lemongrass, Stevia, Marjoram, Catnip, Lovage, Garlic chives |
| Zone 9a | Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Radicchio, Napa cabbage, Pansy / viola | Cannabis auto, Fennel, White clover | Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant, Okra, Cannabis regular, Parsley, Leeks, Celery, Strawberry, Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Mint, Lemon balm, Tarragon, Cherry tomato, Hot pepper, Sorrel, Malabar spinach, Cucamelon, Thai basil, Lemongrass, Stevia, Marjoram, Catnip, Lovage, Garlic chives |
| Zone 9b | Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Radicchio, Napa cabbage, Pansy / viola | Cannabis auto | Cannabis regular, Parsley, Chives, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Mint, Lemon balm, Sorrel, Lovage, Garlic chives |
| Zone 10a | Cauliflower, Radicchio, Napa cabbage, Pansy / viola | — | Cannabis regular, Chives, Thyme, Sage, Rosemary, Lovage, Garlic chives |
| Zone 10b | Pansy / viola | — | — |
These follow each zone's average frost dates, and include fall crops. Crops planted in fall for next year (garlic, spring bulbs) show under planting.
Tips for August
- Weigh what you pick. A season of harvest weights shows which crops and varieties were worth the space. Grow more of the winners next year.
- Share what you can't use. Many food pantries gladly take fresh garden produce, and AmpleHarvest.org lists ones near you that do. Pick it the day you drop it off, so it's at its best.
- Water deeply, less often. A long soak every few days sends roots down deep, where the soil stays moist in a heat wave. Light daily sprinkles keep roots shallow. Aim for about an inch of water a week, rain included.
- Mulch with grass clippings in thin layers. Spread them an inch deep and let each layer dry before adding more: thick, fresh piles turn slimy and smelly. Skip clippings from a lawn treated with weed killer, since some can harm tomatoes and beans even after composting.
For a garden in the middle of the country (around zone 6). Colder places run a few weeks behind, warmer ones ahead.