What to Plant in August

August is an ideal time to plant seeds for a second gardening season that can be as productive as your major early spring plantings. Late summer is perfect for a delicious fall vegetable and herb harvest.

Listed below are flower, vegetable and herb varieties that are great to start planting in August based on the Hardiness Zone that you live in.

Beans (Zones 3-8):
Early August is the last practical sowing date for both bush and pole beans now that the soil and air are warmed up.
Learn More: How to Grow Beans
Suggested varieties: Golden Wax, Scarlet Runner, Slenderette, Vermont Cranberry Shell

Cover Crops (Zones 3-10):
A great way to add nutrients to your soil for the following year is by growing fall/winter cover crops this fall. Start in August so they get some good growth before winter comes.
Learn More: How to Grow Cover Crops
Suggest variety: Fall Mix

Cucumbers (Zones 3-9):
Starting vine or bush cucumbers in August will lead to a delicious fall harvest. Vine cucumbers can be the best tasting but need far more space than bush varieties.
Learn More: How to Grow Cucumbers
Suggest varieties: Carolina, Calypso, Marketer

Flower (Zones 3-8):
August is the perfect time to plant those flowers for a beautiful fall harvest. There are many varieties that can be planted this fall and start blooming early spring.
Suggested Varieties: Marigolds, Alyssum, Snapdragons

Kale (Zones 3-9):
Planting kale now in mid-July through mid-August will yield an excellent harvest in the fall and winter.
Learn More: How to Grow Kale
Suggested varieties: Red Russian, Dwarf Siberian

Lettuce (Zones 3-8):
Sow lettuce in August for a fall crop. Try growing early harvest varieties that will produce a harvest before cold weather rolls in.
Learn More: How to Grow Lettuce
Suggested Varieties: All The Year Round, Mesclun Salad Mix, Spicy Salad Blend

Peas (Zones 3-7):
Green peas and sugar peas are good to plant in August in order to produce a moderate fall harvest.
Learn More: How to Grow Peas
Suggested varieties: Tom Thumb, Cascadia, Wando

Radishes (Zones 3-9): 
Radishes are one of the fastest growing vegetables around and are easy to grow. Plant now and you can have them ready in 30 days!
Learn More: How to Grow Radishes
Suggested varieties: Watermelon Radish, Comet, Black Spanish Round

Spinach (Zones 3-8):
Spinach is more of a cool weather vegetable and is great to sow in August for a tasty fall harvest.
Learn More: How to Grow Spinach
Suggested varieties: Red Kitten, Bloomsdale, Renegade