Top 10 Herbs & Vegetables You Can Still Plant in August for Amazing Fall Harvests

Everyone thinks the growing season is over by August, but honestly? Some of my best harvests come from seeds I plant during these hot summer days. While my neighbors are letting their gardens wind down, I'm starting what I call my "second garden" - and it often produces better than my spring plantings.

The trick is knowing which herbs and vegetables actually love being planted in August heat. These crops use the warm soil to germinate fast, then flourish as temperatures start dropping in fall. Plus, you'll be harvesting fresh produce when everyone else is paying premium prices at the grocery store.

Here are the top performers I plant every August, with simple growing tips that actually work.

1. Lettuce - The August Superstar

Lettuce is honestly the easiest win for August planting. While spring lettuce bolts in summer heat, August-planted lettuce grows into the most beautiful heads you've ever seen.

Best Varieties: Jericho romaine, Red Sails leaf lettuce, Buttercrunch Days to Harvest: 45-60 days Quick Growing Tips: Plant seeds ¼ inch deep in well-draining soil. Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Provide some afternoon shade during the first two weeks if temperatures are above 85°F. Plant new rows every 2 weeks for continuous harvests.

2. Spinach - Cold Weather Champion

Spinach planted in August becomes incredibly productive by October and keeps going through multiple frosts. The cold actually makes it sweeter - totally different from bitter summer spinach.

Best Varieties: Space, Bloomsdale Long Standing, Giant Winter Days to Harvest: 40-50 days Quick Growing Tips: Sow seeds ½ inch deep in rich, well-composted soil. Water regularly during germination. Once established, spinach handles drought well. Harvest outer leaves first to keep plants producing for months.

3. Radishes - Fast and Foolproof

If you want quick results from August planting, radishes are your best friend. They're ready in just 30 days and add amazing crunch to fall salads.

Best Varieties: Cherry Belle, French Breakfast, Easter Egg mix Days to Harvest: 25-35 days Quick Growing Tips: Plant seeds ½ inch deep, spacing them 1 inch apart. Keep soil evenly moist for best flavor. Plant new crops every 2 weeks through September for continuous harvests. Harvest when roots are 1 inch across - don't let them get too big or they'll be woody.

4. Cilantro - Finally Grows Without Bolting

Cilantro is impossible to grow in summer heat, but August planting gives you lush, productive plants that keep producing fresh leaves well into winter.

Best Varieties: Slow Bolt, Long Standing, Santo Days to Harvest: 40-50 days Quick Growing Tips: Scatter seeds on soil surface and barely cover - they need light to germinate. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Once plants are 4 inches tall, harvest by cutting outer stems. Regular harvesting encourages more growth.

5. Arugula - Amazing Fall Flavor

Summer arugula is too spicy and bitter, but fall arugula develops complex, nutty flavors that make store-bought versions taste like nothing.

Best Varieties: Astro, Rocket, Wild Sylvetta Days to Harvest: 35-45 days Quick Growing Tips: Broadcast seeds thinly and rake lightly into soil. Thin seedlings to 4 inches apart when they're 2 inches tall. Harvest by cutting outer leaves when plants are 4-6 inches tall. Cold weather makes leaves incredibly tender and flavorful.

6. Kale - Frost Makes It Sweeter

Kale is one of the best August plantings because cold weather transforms it from tough and bitter to sweet and tender. It's like growing two completely different vegetables.

Best Varieties: Winterbor, Red Russian, Lacinato (Dinosaur) Days to Harvest: 55-65 days Quick Growing Tips: Plant seeds ¼ inch deep in fertile soil. Space plants 12 inches apart - they get big. Water consistently during establishment. After first frost, the flavor becomes incredibly sweet. Harvest outer leaves regularly to keep plants producing.

7. Asian Greens - Unique Fall Flavors

Asian greens like bok choy and mizuna are perfect for August planting and add amazing variety to your fall harvests with flavors you can't buy anywhere.

Best Varieties: Bok Choy, Mizuna, Tatsoi, Komatsuna Days to Harvest: 40-60 days Quick Growing Tips: Plant seeds ¼ inch deep in well-draining soil. Space according to mature size - some get quite large. Many can be harvested as baby greens in just 30 days or grown to full size. Most handle light frosts beautifully.

8. Turnips - Roots and Greens Double Harvest

Turnips give you two crops in one - tender roots and nutritious greens. August planting produces the best-flavored turnips you'll ever taste.

Best Varieties: Purple Top White Globe, Tokyo Cross, Hakurei Days to Harvest: 45-60 days for roots, 30 days for greens Quick Growing Tips: Plant seeds ½ inch deep in loose, well-draining soil. Thin seedlings to 4 inches apart. Harvest greens when young and tender. Roots are sweetest after experiencing some cold weather.

9. Bush Beans - Late Season Protein

Bush beans planted in early August often outperform spring plantings with fewer pest problems and better flavor as weather cools.

Best Varieties: Provider, Cherokee Trail of Tears, Contender Days to Harvest: 50-60 days Quick Growing Tips: Plant seeds 1 inch deep after soil temperature drops below 85°F. Space plants 4 inches apart in rows. Keep soil consistently moist during flowering. Choose determinate varieties that mature before your first frost date.

10. Parsley - Year-Round Fresh Herbs

Parsley planted in August develops strong root systems and often provides fresh herbs through winter and into the following spring.

Best Varieties: Flat-leaf Italian, Curly Leaf, Hamburg (root parsley) Days to Harvest: 70-80 days Quick Growing Tips: Soak seeds overnight before planting to improve germination. Plant ¼ inch deep in rich, well-composted soil. Keep soil consistently moist - parsley hates to dry out. Harvest outer stems regularly to encourage new growth.

Ready to start your August garden for incredible fall harvests? We've partnered with SEEDSNOW to bring you the best varieties for late summer planting. These carefully selected seeds are proven performers for August sowing - from fast-growing lettuce to productive herbs to sweet fall vegetables. Get your second growing season started with seeds that thrive in late summer conditions.

August Planting Success Tips That Actually Work

Timing Matters: Plant right before expected rain or cooler weather when possible. Avoid planting during heat waves.

Soil Prep: Make sure your soil has plenty of compost for moisture retention. Dry soil kills more August seedlings than anything else.

Shade Protection: Provide temporary shade during the hottest part of the day for the first 1-2 weeks after planting.

Consistent Moisture: Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Inconsistent watering causes poor germination and bitter flavors.

Succession Planting: Plant new crops every 2 weeks through August and September to extend your harvest season.

The best part about August planting? Most of these crops actually taste better when grown in cool fall weather. You'll be amazed at how much sweeter and more tender vegetables become after experiencing some cold nights.

Start with just 2-3 varieties this August to see how well this works in your area, then expand your fall garden next year. Trust me - once you experience the incredible flavors and productivity of fall crops, you'll never skip August planting again.

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