Still Time: Fall Veggies You Can Plant in August
Missed spring? August is a surprisingly good month to start a productive cool‑season patch. With the right crops and a simple succession plan, you can pull salads, roots, and herbs through first frost—and beyond with covers.
Know your window
Use your frost date and zone to pick crops with days‑to‑maturity that fit the calendar. Check your zone on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map .
Zones 3–6
- Arugula, spinach, lettuce mixes, radishes, beets, carrots
- Kale, collards, Asian greens; peas if planted very early August
Zones 7–8
- All the above + broccoli raab, kohlrabi, bush beans (early August), cilantro
- Sown now, harvest in October–November; cover to extend
Zones 9–10
- Heat-eased sowing later in the month: arugula, Asian greens, cilantro, scallions
- Start brassicas in trays under shade and transplant in September
See timing frameworks in Succession Planting Guide and harvest clarity in Perfect Timing for Every Harvest.
A 4×8 bed layout you can copy today
- Half bed: baby leaf mix rows (cut‑and‑come‑again) + arugula stripes between
- Quarter bed: carrots mixed with quick radish markers
- Quarter bed: two kale or collard rows + cilantro edge
- Tuck green onions as dividers; interplant dill near carrots
Simple succession rhythm
- Week 0: Direct sow lettuce mix, arugula, radish, carrot; transplant two kale
- Week 2: Re‑sow arugula strip; thin carrots
- Week 4: Re‑sow leaf mix; start cilantro again; add a row cover if nights dip
- Week 6: Harvest baby leaves; sow a final arugula/radish strip
Beat the heat at sowing
- Water bed deeply the evening before
- After sowing, lay a light board or shade cloth for 48 hours to keep seedbed cool
- Keep surface evenly moist until germination; then water deeply every few days
Extend your season affordably
- Frost cloth over hoops adds 2–6°F; a simple cold frame can push harvests a month
- Mulch paths, not beds, to keep soil cooler and prevent pillbugs
Turn your photo into a plan
Upload your bed photo to Gardenly , choose “Fall Veg Patch”, and get a zone‑aware layout with spacing, sowing dates, and a printable list. Get Gardenly to test 2–3 layouts in minutes before you plant.
August is the start of your best salads—and the bridge to winter greens if you want them. Plant once this week; harvest for months.
Choose crops that match your calendar
| Crop | Days to harvest | Heat tolerance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arugula | 20–35 | High | Sow succession every 2 weeks |
| Lettuce mixes | 25–45 baby | Medium | Use shade cloth during germination |
| Spinach | 35–50 | Low | Start late month in hot zones |
| Radish | 25–35 | High | Use as markers for carrots |
| Carrots | 60–75 | Medium | Keep seedbed evenly moist |
| Beets | 50–65 | Medium | Harvest greens young + roots later |
| Kale/Collards | 50–75 baby 25–35 | High | Transplant for speed |
| Cilantro | 30–40 | Medium | Succession sow in partial shade |
Bed prep that speeds germination
- Water deeply the night before you sow to cool soil
- Rake a fine seedbed; press rows with a board for consistent depth
- After sowing, cover rows with light shade cloth 24–48 hours
- Use a mister setting to prevent seed displacement
Easy micro‑succession blueprint
- Divide the bed into four lanes; sow different crops staggered weekly
- Replace harvested baby greens with another quick crop immediately
- Keep 6–8 inches open at one end for later cilantro/scallions
Heat‑smart watering schedule
- Days 0–7: Surface mist 2–3× daily until germination; keep bed cool
- Days 7–14: Shift to deep water every 2–3 days
- After establishment: Water deeply 1–2× weekly depending on heat/wind
Protect young seedlings from August sun
- Drape 30–40% shade cloth between hoops noon–4 pm
- Use lightweight row cover at night if wind desiccates
- Mulch path, not rows; keep soil contact for cooling
Extend through first frost (and beyond)
- Hoop row cover adds several degrees; double up on frosty nights
- Cold frames: Reuse old windows; prop for ventilation on sunny days
- Choose cold‑hardy varieties (winter density lettuce, ‘Red Russian’ kale)
Pests and pressures in late summer
- Flea beetles: Cover brassicas immediately after transplanting
- Harlequin bugs: Hand pick mornings; remove egg clusters under leaves
- Slugs: Beer traps; iron phosphate baits around greens
See more care tips in Extreme Heat Plant Survival and planning in Succession Planting Guide.
Sample shopping list (one 4×8 bed)
- Seeds: arugula, lettuce mix, radish, carrot, beet, cilantro, scallion
- Starts: 2–4 kale/collards; optional broccoli raab in mild zones
- Hardware: hoops, light shade cloth, row cover, landscape pins
From photo to plan in minutes
Upload your raised bed photo to Gardenly , pick the “Fall Veg Patch” preset, and get a zone‑aware layout with spacing, sowing dates, and a printable list. Get Gardenly to preview successions and cover options so you stay harvesting as days cool.
FAQ
Is it too hot to sow lettuce in August?
Sow late in the day, use light shade cloth for 24–48 hours, and keep surface cool and evenly moist—germination improves dramatically.
Can I direct‑sow kale now?
Yes in cooler zones; in hot zones, start in cell trays under shade and transplant in 2–3 weeks.
How close can I plant for baby leaf harvests?
Broadcast densely; cut with scissors and allow regrowth. Resow strips every two weeks.
How do I avoid bitter greens?
Keep consistent moisture, harvest young, and give partial shade in heat spikes.
Want a fall patch that just works? Plan it from a photo with Gardenly and start harvesting in 30 days.
Sample two‑bed plan (Zones 6–8)
- Bed A: Lettuce mix + arugula lanes; cilantro edge; scallions between lanes
- Bed B: Carrots + radish markers; 2 kale transplants at back; beet row front
Swap Bed A rows every two weeks; keep Bed B static for roots.
Budget snapshot
| Item | Qty | Est. cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seeds (8 packets) | 1 set | $18–$28 | Choose fast, heat‑tolerant varieties |
| Two kale/collard starts | 2–4 | $6–$12 | Jumpstart greens |
| Shade cloth + hoops | 1 set | $25–$45 | Reusable |
| Row cover (lightweight) | 1 | $12–$20 | Extends harvest |
| Mulch for paths | 2–3 bags | $10–$20 | Cools bed edges |
Weekly rhythm you can keep
- Sunday: Harvest, re‑sow a small strip, deep water
- Wednesday: Mist seed rows, thin seedlings, check pests
- Friday: Quick harvest for weekend meals; reset shade cloth if hot
Troubleshooting quick guide
- Patchy carrot germination: Pre‑soak bed, use board cover 24–48 hours
- Bitter greens: Increase watering; add mid‑day shade for 2–3 days during heat
- Bolting cilantro: Re‑sow in part shade; harvest small and often
Flavor upgrades that fit fall
- Arugula + dill + roasted beets
- Carrot tops into pesto with lemon and almonds
- Kale ribbons with olive oil, salt, and lemon massage
Autumn handoff
- As nights drop, swap shade cloth for row cover
- Add a small cold frame over a third of Bed A for winter salads
- Sow a late strip of spinach where arugula was
Quick checklist
- Know your frost date
- Pick fast crops matched to your zone
- Prep a fine, cool seedbed
- Succession small strips weekly
- Protect with light shade/row cover
- Water by stage, not by clock
- Plan the winter handoff now
Layout variants by bed size
Small bed (3×6)
- 2 lanes baby leaf + arugula interplant
- 1 lane carrots with radish markers
- Edge: cilantro + scallions
Medium bed (4×8)
- 3 lanes baby leaf + arugula
- 1 lane carrots/beets
- 2 kale transplants at north edge; cilantro pockets
Large bed (4×12)
- Mirror the 4×8 plan and add a second root lane
- Add a small cold frame on 1/3 of greens area for winter
Companion planting wins
- Dill near carrots improves flavor; attracts beneficials
- Scallions between lettuce rows deter pests and mark rows
- Radishes break crust for slower carrots; harvest radishes early
Soil refresh for fall success
- Add 1” compost; fork lightly to blend top 3–4”
- Avoid high‑nitrogen fertilizers; favor balanced organics
- Top with 1/2” leaf mold after sowing to moderate temps
Irrigation technique by stage
- Germination: Surface mist; don’t let top 1/4” dry
- Seedlings: Gentle shower; avoid splash that flattens rows
- Established: Deep soak; keep foliage dry to reduce disease
Month‑by‑month timeline
August
- Sow fast greens and roots; install shade cloth; deepen mulch in paths
September
- Transition from shade cloth to row cover as nights cool
- Transplant brassicas started in August trays
October
- Add cold frame or double row cover in cooler zones
- Plant garlic at bed end (Zones 5–8) for spring harvest
Harvest and storage pointers
- Harvest baby greens in the morning; cool immediately
- Store carrots/beets unwashed in breathable bags in the fridge
- Cilantro: harvest often; re‑sow tiny strips biweekly
Case study: Summer bed to fall harvest in 21 days
Before
- Spent tomatoes removed; dry soil; mixed weeds
Steps
- Day 0: Add 1” compost; deep water; sow greens/roots; install shade cloth
- Day 7: Germination strong under cloth; switch to deep watering cadence
- Day 14: Thin carrots; re‑sow arugula strip; transplant kale
- Day 21: First baby greens harvest; carrots rooted; kale established
Result
- Continuous greens by week 3; roots sizing by week 5–6
Troubleshoot by symptom
- Seedlings flopping: Reduce overhead pressure; water soil, not leaves
- Uneven germination bands: Re‑rake and re‑sow thin gaps; press seed firmly
- Holes in Brassica leaves: Cover immediately; hand‑pick caterpillars evenings
Glossary
- Cut‑and‑come‑again: Harvest method that allows multiple regrowth cycles
- Row cover: Lightweight fabric that buffers wind/cold and pests
- Shade cloth: Woven fabric reducing light/heat during germination
More resources
- USDA Planting and frost dates: USDA Climate & Adaptation
- Succession planning deep dive: Succession Planting Guide
- Heat survival tactics: Extreme Heat Plant Survival
Turn your bed photo into a fall layout and shopping list in minutes with Gardenly .