This guide includes what to start from seed, what to transplant, and what tasks to focus on in your garden this August. Each section is tailored to your USDA growing zone.
ZONE 3–4 (COLD CLIMATES)
Start from Seed:
Radishes
Spinach
Lettuce
Arugula
Cold-hardy cover crops (clover, rye)
Transplant/Plant Starts:
- Late cabbage or kale (if started indoors earlier)
Garden Tasks:
- Begin clearing out finished crops
- Mulch perennials
- Plan or sow cover crops
- Harvest garlic, onions, and potatoes
- Save seeds from cool-weather crops
ZONE 5–6 (COOL TEMPERATE)
Examples: Pennsylvania, Ohio, northern Illinois, Missouri, parts of Oregon and Utah
Start from Seed:
- Beets
- Carrots
- Radishes
- Turnips
- Spinach
- Chard
- Kale
- Lettuce
- Fall peas and bush beans
Transplant/Plant Starts:
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Brussels sprouts
Garden Tasks:
- Remove tired summer crops
- Compost fall planting beds
- Water and weed regularly
- Prepare for garlic planting
ZONE 7–8 (MILD WINTERS)
Examples: Tennessee, North Carolina, northern Georgia and Texas, coastal Virginia and South Carolina
Start from Seed:
- Beets
- Carrots
- Kale
- Spinach
- Arugula
- Mustard greens
- Radish
- Bok choy
- Bush beans
- Cucumbers (early August)
Transplant/Plant Starts:
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Collards
- Lettuce
Garden Tasks:
- Prune herbs
- Mulch to retain moisture
- Fertilize fall beds
- Prune tomatoes to improve yield
ZONE 9–10 (WARM CLIMATES)
Examples: Southern California, Southern Texas, Southern Arizona, Florida
Start from Seed:
- Okra
- Southern peas (cowpeas)
- Corn (early August)
- Collards
- Cucumbers
- Pumpkins
- Start tomatoes and peppers indoors (mid-month)
Transplant/Plant Starts:
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Eggplant
- Basil and other herbs
Garden Tasks:
- Use shade cloth if needed
- Deep watering and mulching
- Check for summer pests
- Revitalize soil with compost
ZONE 11+ (TROPICAL/SUBTROPICAL)
Examples: South Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico
Start from Seed:
- Okra
- Tropical spinach
- Sweet potatoes
- Green beans
- Squash
- Melons
- Ginger and turmeric
Transplant/Plant Starts:
- Tropical greens
- Papaya
- Passionfruit
- Tomatoes and eggplants (late August/early September)
Garden Tasks:
- Mulch heavily to prevent soil drying
- Fertilize fruit trees
- Prepare raised beds for fall
- Watch for fungus due to humidity
GENERAL AUGUST GARDEN TIPS (ALL ZONES)
- Harvest and preserve summer crops
- Start or turn compost piles
- Clean garden tools
- Take garden notes
- Save seeds from heirlooms
- Plan your fall garden layout
