August Planting: Fresh Harvests and New Beginnings

As the garden yields a bounty of tomatoes, cucumbers, and various vegetables, it is also the perfect time to prepare for the next planting cycle. Quick-growing salads and leafy greens can still provide fresh produce well into the autumn months. Meanwhile, some crops can remain in the ground over winter, ready for harvest in the spring.

Herbs also have plenty of opportunities for late-season planting. However, when it comes to flowers, the focus shifts primarily to preparing for the next growing season. Biennial plants and perennials will develop roots and foliage after being sown in August, with blooms expected to appear the following year.

What to Consider in August – Timing and Variety Matter

In August, the success of your planting depends not only on the type of plant but also on the specific variety. Seeds intended for spring planting are unsuitable at this time. Therefore, it's crucial to look for labels indicating autumn planting, winter cultivation, overwintering, or late summer sowing.

• Sow Chinese cabbage, kohlrabi, endive, and some salad varieties as early as possible in August.
• Field salad, spinach, and winter onions can be sown later in the month.
• Newly sown beds should be shaded temporarily during heat waves.
• Keep the soil consistently moist until germination.
• Pay attention to germination temperatures for salad greens, as some varieties may struggle in heat.
• Protect cabbage crops with a fine mesh crop protection net.

Outdoor Sowing in August – Vegetables and Salads for Open Fields

Direct sowing is particularly suitable for fast-growing varieties and those that thrive as temperatures drop in autumn. When sowing in early August, do not delay, as the days are already becoming noticeably shorter.

Asian Greens – Quick and Easy

Mizuna, leaf mustard, and other Asian greens grow rapidly and can be harvested as young leaves or later as larger rosettes. For baby leaf harvest, you can sow them more closely together.

Location Planting Distance Harvest Care Instructions Sun to partial shade In-row: 10 to 15 cm Between rows: 20 to 25 cm From September Keep moist, fertilize sparingly, protect from soil fleas

Chinese Cabbage – Opt for a Fast-Growing Variety

Chinese cabbage should be sown in the first days of August. Use a fast-growing variety specifically designated for late planting.

Location Planting Distance Harvest Care Instructions Sun to partial shade In-row: 30 to 40 cm Between rows: 40 to 50 cm From October Water evenly, fertilize regularly, use crop protection net

Iceberg Lettuce – For Late Harvest

Certain iceberg lettuce varieties can still be sown directly in early August, but the seeds must be suitable for summer or autumn sowing.

Location Planting Distance Harvest Care Instructions Sun to partial shade In-row: 30 cm Between rows: 30 cm From October Keep moist, shade during heat, moderate fertilization

Field Salad – A Classic for Autumn and Winter

Field salad can be sown throughout August. Early sowings will produce robust rosettes for autumn, while later sowings can remain in the ground through winter or into spring.

Location Planting Distance Harvest Care Instructions Sun to partial shade In-row: 5 to 8 cm Between rows: 10 to 15 cm From October Keep moist, water moderately, do not fertilize

Swiss Chard – Now for Leafy Greens

For large, robust stalks, sowing in August is typically too late. However, fast-growing leaf chard can still be successfully sown and harvested young within a few weeks.

Location Planting Distance Harvest Care Instructions Sun to partial shade In-row: 10 to 15 cm Between rows: 20 to 30 cm From September Water regularly, harvest young leaves, thin if necessary

Pak Choi – Short Culture for Autumn

Pak Choi often performs better in late summer than during prolonged heat. Sow it directly in its final location from early to mid-August, depending on the variety.

Location Planting Distance Harvest Care Instructions Sun to partial shade In-row: 20 to 25 cm Between rows: 25 to 30 cm From September Water evenly, avoid waterlogging, use crop protection net

Radishes – Quick Fillers

Radishes can fit into almost any available space and can be sown throughout August. Towards the end of the month, be sure to choose varieties meant for autumn cultivation.

Location Planting Distance Harvest Care Instructions Sun to partial shade In-row: 3 to 5 cm Between rows: 10 to 15 cm From September Water evenly, keep soil loose, do not fertilize

Winter Radishes – Start in Early August

Autumn and winter radishes require significantly more time than their smaller counterparts, so sowing should ideally occur in the first half of August.

Location Planting Distance Harvest Care Instructions Sun to partial shade In-row: 8 to 10 cm Between rows: 25 to 30 cm From October Water adequately, loosen soil, thin promptly

Spinach – A Good Time for Autumn Varieties

From early August, it’s time to sow autumn and winter spinach. Early sowings can be harvested in autumn, while later ones will remain in the ground through winter.

Location Planting Distance Harvest Care Instructions Sun to partial shade In-row: 6 to 8 cm Between rows: 20 to 25 cm From September Water evenly, do not fertilize, keep soil loose

Winter Onions – Harvest Next Year

Winter onions should be sown directly from mid to late August. They will develop into young plants before winter and continue growing in the spring.

Location Planting Distance Harvest Care Instructions Sun In-row: 3 to 5 cm Between rows: 20 to 25 cm From April Keep moist until germination, remove weeds, fertilize sparingly

Outdoor Sowing in August – Herbs for Open Fields

For herbs, the focus is on varieties that grow quickly or can overwinter as young plants. Dill, chervil, and coriander can be sown directly, as they do not take well to later transplanting.

Dill – The Last Sowing for Autumn

Dill can still be sown from early to mid-August. The plants tend to remain smaller with late sowing, but they still produce fresh shoots.

Location Planting Distance Harvest Care Instructions Sun In-row: 10 to 15 cm Between rows: 20 to 25 cm From September Keep moist, do not transplant, fertilize minimally

Garden Cress – Ready to Harvest in Weeks

Garden cress requires little space and can be sown until autumn. In August, a semi-shady location is preferable to a hot, sunny bed.

Location Planting Distance Harvest Care Instructions Partial shade In-row: 2 to 3 cm Between rows: 10 to 15 cm From August Keep moist, do not fertilize, cut young

Chervil – Prefers Cool Over Hot

Chervil grows better in milder temperatures and does not bolt as quickly. Thus, late summer offers an excellent window for sowing.

Location Planting Distance Harvest Care Instructions Partial shade In-row: 10 to 15 cm Between rows: 20 to 25 cm From September Keep moist, do not fertilize, cover seeds lightly

Coriander – Fresh Leaves in Autumn

For August sowing, choose varieties that bolt slowly and produce abundant leaves. Sow directly into the bed or a larger pot.

Location Planting Distance Harvest Care Instructions Sun to partial shade In-row: 10 to 15 cm Between rows: 20 to 30 cm From September Water evenly, fertilize sparingly, do not transplant

Parsley – Patience for Germination

Parsley can still be directly sown in August. Given its slow germination rate, the soil must remain consistently moist for several weeks.

Location Planting Distance Harvest Care Instructions Sun to partial shade In-row: 10 to 15 cm Between rows: 20 to 25 cm From October Keep moist, loosen soil, fertilize sparingly

Arugula – Spicy Freshness

Arugula grows quickly and can be sown throughout August. The cooler weeks towards the end of the month often yield more tender leaves.

Location Planting Distance Harvest Care Instructions Sun to partial shade In-row: 5 to 10 cm Between rows: 15 to 20 cm From September Water evenly, fertilize sparingly, cut young

Garlic Chives – Harvest Typically in Spring

Garlic chives can still be sown in August. However, there is usually not enough time for a significant harvest within the same year; these perennial plants will continue to grow in the spring.

Location Planting Distance Harvest Care Instructions Sun to partial shade In-row: 15 to 20 cm Between rows: 25 to 30 cm From April Keep moist, remove weeds, add compost later

Outdoor Sowing in August – Flowers for Open Fields

In the realm of flowers, the emphasis is on hardy perennials, biennials, and robust annuals suitable for autumn sowing. These plants will not bloom this summer but are preparing for the coming year.

True Violet – Use Fresh Seeds

True violets can be directly sown in late summer in a semi-shady to shady spot. Germination is often irregular and may extend into the colder months.

Location Planting Distance Harvest Care Instructions Partial shade to shade In-row: 15 to 20 cm Between rows: 20 to 25 cm From March Keep moist, do not fertilize, avoid drying out seeds

Cornflowers – Autumn Sowing for Early Blooms

Cornflowers can be directly sown in their final location towards the end of August. The young plants will overwinter and start blooming earlier in spring than those sown fresh.

Location Planting Distance Harvest Care Instructions Sun In-row: 15 cm Between rows: 25 to 30 cm From May Water sparingly, do not fertilize, thin later

Lupines – Strong Start for Next Year

Perennial lupines can be directly sown until August. As they form taproots, they should ideally germinate in their final location.

Location Planting Distance Harvest Care Instructions Sun to partial shade In-row: 30 to 40 cm Between rows: 40 to 50 cm From June Water sparingly, do not fertilize, avoid waterlogging, toxic

Perennial Baby's Breath – For Dry Locations

Perennial baby's breath can be sown in late summer. It requires a sunny location and very well-drained soil.

Location Planting Distance Harvest Care Instructions Sun In-row: 50 to 60 cm Between rows: 60 to 80 cm From June Water sparingly, do not fertilize, avoid waterlogging

Marigolds – Robust Sowing for Spring

Marigolds can be directly sown at the end of August. Some of the young plants will overwinter and begin blooming earlier the following year.

Location Planting Distance Harvest Care Instructions Sun In-row: 20 to 25 cm Between rows: 25 to 30 cm From May Water moderately, do not fertilize, thin later