What Seeds to Plant in August Based on Your First Frost Date
Planting in August? Yes!
There are seeds that you can plant in August. What to plant depends on your first frost date.
Once you know how many growing days remain before frost, you can choose vegetables, herbs, and even flowers that will mature in time for harvest.
Maybe you’re like me and have an empty raised bed after pulling out plants decimated by squash vine borer. Or you’re looking to try one last time to grow something fresh in that sunny spot. You can make August one of the best months to sow another round of seeds.
Looking for a complete list of vegetables for fall? Read What to Plant in a Fall Vegetable Garden.
How to Decide What to Plant in August
To decide what to plant, look at how many days you have until your first frost. Then look at what space you have available and what you want to grow. Just like with your original garden planning, consider your location for the best sunlight and soil options.
Start with Your First Frost Date
The easiest way to know what you can still plant is to work backward from your average first fall frost date. Every garden has a different growing season, so the right crops for someone in Minnesota may be very different from someone in Georgia.
Not sure when your first frost arrives? Use our Planting Planner to create a personalized schedule. Enter your ZIP code into our Planting Planner to see your estimated first and last frost dates along with a personalized fall planting schedule based on your location. The planner recommends when to direct sow and when to start seeds indoors for dozens of vegetables, herbs, and flowers.
What to Plant in August by Climate
Short growing seasons (Northern U.S.) – Quick-growing greens, radishes, spinach, turnips.
Moderate climates – Add beets, carrots, broccoli, cabbage, bush beans.
Warm climates (Southern U.S.) – Continue planting beans, cucumbers, squash, tomatoes (where appropriate), peppers, and begin cool-season crops later in the month
What Seeds Can You Plant in August?
Which seeds you can plant depends on how much time you have. For those gardeners in areas that don’t have frost until December, if ever, there are a lot of options for seeds to plant. For those pushing up against frost danger, look at these options.
Ready in Under 40 days
Ready in 40 to 60 days
60 to 90 Days
Brassicas (These include broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbages that need to be started early and transplanted to survive early frost)
Best Herbs to Sow in August
Flowers You Can Still Plant in August
Some flowers planted in August will bloom before the frost. But there are many perennial flower seeds that you can plant in the fall, and they will bloom the next summer.
Tips for Planting Seeds Successfully in August
Water twice daily until germination if the weather is hot.
Sow a little deeper if the soil dries quickly
Use shade cloth during heat waves
Mulch after seedlings emerge
Practice succession planting to keep the garden productive
August Seed Planting FAQs
Is August too late to plant vegetables?
August is not too late. Fast-growing vegetables like radishes and lettuce will give you a harvest before your first frost.
Can I plant carrots in August?
Carrots and other root vegetables can be planted in August in many locations. Once established, they can survive a frost.
Can I plant lettuce in August?
Lettuce is an excellent crop to plant in August. Warm soil will help the seeds germinate, and as temperatures cool, it will be less likely to bolt prematurely.
Should I start broccoli from seed or transplants?
Your first frost date will determine whether you should plant broccoli and cauliflower from transplants in August. In locations with a late frost date, you can plant broccoli seeds.
Can I still plant beans in August?
If your first frost date is still 60 to 90 days away, you can plant beans in August.
August may be a hot month, but it can also be a combination of harvesting and planting. Once you know your average first frost date, you’ll know what seeds to plant in August. Use our Planting Planner to make the most of your garden this month.
Wondering what else should be done this month? Visit August Gardening Tasks for watering tips, harvesting, pest management, and other seasonal chores.
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