Fall Vegetable Garden: What to Plant in August

August isn't the end of gardening—it's the start of fall planting season. While summer crops wind down, you can plant a whole new round of vegetables that thrive in cool weather and often taste better after frost.

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Quick Answer

In August, plant cool-season crops that mature before hard frost: lettuce, spinach, kale, broccoli, carrots, beets, radishes, and peas. Count backwards from your first frost date to determine planting windows. Most fall crops need 60-90 days.

Why Fall Gardening Works

Fewer pests — Aphids, beetles, and caterpillars decline as temps drop Less watering — Cooler weather means less evaporation Better flavor — Frost converts starches to sugars in many crops Extended harvest — Some crops survive into December with protection

Calculate Your Planting Window

Formula: First frost date − days to maturity − 14 days (for slowing growth) = plant by date

Add 2 weeks if using row cover or cold frame

Best Fall Vegetables

Fast Crops (30-60 days)

Plant these in late August/early September:

Medium Crops (60-80 days)

Plant these in early-mid August:

Slow Crops (80-100 days)

Plant these in late July/early August:

August Planting Calendar

Week 1 (Aug 1-7)

• Transplant broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage starts
• Direct sow kale, collards
• Start lettuce indoors (too hot outside in many zones)

Week 2 (Aug 8-14)

• Direct sow beets, carrots, turnips
• Transplant kale and chard
• Succession plant radishes

Week 3 (Aug 15-21)

• Direct sow spinach, lettuce (if temps cooling)
• Plant peas (fall crop)
• More radishes

Week 4 (Aug 22-31)

• Direct sow arugula, Asian greens
• Last chance for beets and carrots
• Plant garlic (in zones 7+, or wait until October)

Fall Planting Tips

Beat the Heat

August soil is hot. Help seeds germinate:

• Water the row before planting
• Plant in late afternoon
• Cover seeds with light mulch
• Use shade cloth for transplants

Improve Germination

Lettuce and spinach won't germinate above 80°F:

• Start indoors in AC
• Pre-sprout in damp paper towel in fridge
• Plant in shaded area

Succession Plant

Don't plant everything at once:

• Lettuce: every 2 weeks
• Radishes: every 2 weeks
• Spinach: 2-3 plantings, 10 days apart

Frost Protection

Extend your harvest with simple protection:

Crops that survive hard frost (below 28°F): Kale, collards, spinach, carrots (under mulch), Brussels sprouts, leeks

Sample Fall Garden Plan (4×8 Bed)

┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Broccoli  │ Broccoli │ Cauliflower │  Transplants (Aug 1)
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Kale      │ Kale     │ Collards    │  Direct sow (Aug 1)
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Carrots   │ Beets    │ Turnips     │  Direct sow (Aug 10)
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Lettuce   │ Spinach  │ Radishes    │  Direct sow (Aug 15+)
└─────────────────────────────────────┘

Harvest timeline:

• Sept: Radishes, lettuce, turnip greens
• Oct: Beets, turnips, kale, broccoli
• Nov: Carrots, collards, cauliflower
• Dec+: Kale, carrots (under mulch)

What NOT to Plant in Fall

Skip these—they need long, warm seasons:

• Tomatoes
• Peppers
• Squash
• Cucumbers
• Beans (except in zones 9-10)
• Corn

Get Your Fall Planting Plan

Timing fall planting is tricky. Our AI Garden Planner calculates:

• Exact planting dates for your zone
• Which crops fit your remaining season
• Succession planting schedule
• Frost date countdown

Enter your location and get a custom fall plan in seconds.

Create Your Free Garden Plan →

Related Guides

• When to Start Seeds Indoors
• Raised Bed Garden Layout
• Companion Planting Guide