21 Best Garden Crops To Plant In August – Late-Summer Gourds, Herbs And Veggies!
Welcome! This article contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you.
We can’t believe summer is halfway over! But don’t fret, you still have time to plant. Whether you’re looking for fast-growing veggies, heat-tolerant greens, or fresh herbs, there’s something for every gardener to enjoy this month. These crops stand up to the heat and offer a continuous harvest to fill your table with delicious, homegrown goodness.
These 21 crops also grow fast, so you can enjoy a harvest before the chilly September weather catches them!
Sound good?
Then, let’s dig in and discover the best crops to plant in your August garden!
21 Best Garden Crops For August Sowing And Growing
Our August garden teems with nutritious food. But of all our delicious late-summer crops, the following 21 are our favorites.
1. Radishes
Radishes are the sprinters of the late-summer garden world, dashing to maturity in as little as 20 days. They’re perfect for an August garden because they thrive in chillier soil, making them ideal for succession planting as summer temperatures wane in early September. Radishes add a peppery crunch to salads and are surprisingly versatile, making a tasty addition to stir-fries.
- Mature Height: 6 to 12 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 20 to 25 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 10.
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.
For heat-tolerant radish cultivars, consider French Breakfast or Cherry Belle, which maintain their crispness even when the mercury rises.
2. Mustard Greens
Mustard greens bring a spicy, leafy zest to your August garden that’s hard to beat, and they love the heat! August is prime time for planting these greens, which can tolerate higher temperatures without bolting too quickly. They’re packed with vitamins and are perfect for a flavor boost when sautéed, steamed, or added to soups.
- Mature Height: 12 to 24 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 20 to 30 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 10.
- Care Requirements: Partial shade, moist soil, fertile soil.
Look for heat-tolerant mustard green cultivars like Southern Giant Curled and Red Giant that are particularly heat-tolerant and add color to your garden.
3. Green Beans
Green beans are the gifts that keep on giving. They flourish in the warm August weather and produce an abundance of crisp pods well into the early fall. These fast-growing beans are perfect for those who crave a continuous harvest in bush and pole varieties.
- Mature Height: 12 to 60 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 50 to 60 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 10.
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, trellis, or cage support.
For a heat-tolerant green bean option, try Provider or Kentucky Wonder. These beans can withstand summer’s heat and keep coming.
Read More – These Are The 21 Best Garden Crops Chickens Love To Eat!
4. Cucumbers
Cucumbers keep famously cool in the hot summer weather and are perfect for hot August days! They thrive in the heat and proliferate, providing a bountiful harvest of refreshing, crunchy gourds. Ideal for salads, pickling, or just eating straight off the vine, cucumbers are an August garden staple.
- Mature Height: 3 to 6 feet.
- Days Until Maturity: 60 to 70 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 4 to 10.
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, trellis, or cage support.
Look for heat-tolerant cucumber cultivars like Straight Eight or Marketmore 76, known for their resilience and prolific production.
5. Amaranth
Amaranth is a heat-loving, drought-tolerant super green that thrives in the sweltering August sun. It is easy to grow, and its leaves contain loads of nutrients. You can use it like spinach. The seeds can also be harvested and used as a grain.
- Mature Height: 2 to 6 feet.
- Days Until Maturity: 20 to 30 days (for greens), 60 to 70 days (for grain).
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 4 to 10.
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.
Hopi Red Dye is a stunning amaranth cultivar that adds a deep-red coloring to your garden and plate, making them both ornamental and edible.
6. Zucchini
Zucchini is the king of summer squash, growing like wildfire in warm August weather. It’s a prolific producer, so even a couple of plants can yield more zucchinis than you know what to do with! Versatile in the kitchen, zucchini can be grilled, sautéed, or even baked into bread.
- Mature Height: 12 to 24 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 35 to 45 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 4 to 10.
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.
For heat-tolerant zucchini varieties, try Black Beauty or Costata Romanesco, known for their robustness and high yields.
Read More – 21 Plants That Love Growing And Blooming At Night!
7. Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is the hardy salad hero of the garden, standing up to summer heat while adding a smidgen of color with its rainbow-styled stalks. It’s perfect for August planting, as it can tolerate the heat and produce tender leaves. This nutrient-dense leafy green is excellent in salads, sautés, and soups.
- Mature Height: 12 to 24 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 30 to 40 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 10.
- Care Requirements: Partial shade, moist soil, fertile soil.
Chard cultivars like Bright Lights and Fordhook Giant are heat-tolerant and visually stunning.
8. Kale
Kale is the ultimate superfood that loves to soak up the sun in August. Some cultivars are surprisingly heat-tolerant and can produce well into the cooler months when September emerges, making it a garden favorite. Whether you prefer it in salads, smoothies, or as crispy chips, kale is versatile and nutritious.
- Mature Height: 12 to 36 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 50 to 60 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 10.
- Care Requirements: Partial shade, moist soil, fertile soil.
Kale cultivars Lacinato (also known as dinosaur kale) and Red Russian are excellent summer planting choices. They are known for their heat resilience and rich flavor.
9. Turnips
Turnips are the dual-purpose darlings of the garden, offering both tasty roots and nutritious greens. They are well-suited for August planting, as they can tolerate the heat and thrive in cooler late-summer temperatures.
- Mature Height: 6 to 12 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 40 to 50 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 10.
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.
Purple Top White Globe and Hakurei are popular turnip cultivars that are heat-tolerant and quick-maturing. They provide a delicious harvest in as little as 30 days.
Read More – Never Swat Or Remove These 21 Beneficial Garden Bugs. They Eat Pests + Pollinate Flowers!
10. Carrots
Carrots are crunchy, sweet roots that love a sunny spot in your August garden. While they prefer cooler weather, many varieties are heat-tolerant and can flourish in late summer for a fall harvest. They’re perfect for fresh eating, roasting, or adding to soups and stews.
- Mature Height: 6 to 12 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 60 to 70 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 10.
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.
Nantes and Danvers are two lovely carrot cultivars known for their heat tolerance and sweet flavor, making them ideal choices for this time of year.
11. Lettuce
Lettuce might seem like a cool-weather crop, but some varieties thrive in the August heat without bolting. Crisp and refreshing lettuce is a salad staple that can be grown even in the warmer months with suitable cultivars.
- Mature Height: 6 to 12 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 40 to 50 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 10.
- Care Requirements: Partial shade, moist soil, fertile soil.
Buttercrunch, Red Salad Bowl, and Simpson Elite are excellent heat-tolerant lettuce varieties that can provide fresh greens throughout the summer.
12. Spinach
Spinach is a nutrient powerhouse that surprisingly can handle August heat, especially with suitable varieties. These greens are versatile, ideal for salads, smoothies, or cooked dishes, and provide a wealth of vitamins and minerals.
- Mature Height: 6 to 12 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 20 to 30 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 10.
- Care Requirements: Partial shade, moist soil, fertile soil.
While typically a cool-weather crop, spinach cultivars like Malabar Spinach or New Zealand Spinach thrive in warmer conditions, making them perfect for a late summer or early fall harvest.
13. Arugula
With its peppery bite, Arugula is a fantastic addition to salads and sandwiches. It’s a fast grower, maturing in just a few weeks, making it perfect for August planting. Arugula’s quick growth means you can enjoy multiple harvests even as the weather begins to change.
- Mature Height: 6 to 12 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 20 to 30 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 10.
- Care Requirements: Partial shade, moist soil, fertile soil.
While it prefers cooler weather, some heat-tolerant arugula varieties like Astro and Wild Rocket can handle the summer sun without getting too spicy.
Read More – Want More Hummingbirds? Plant Some Of These Flowers. Hummingbirds Can’t Resist!
14. Collard Greens
Collard greens are tough as nails and easily survive the heat of August. These leafy greens are famous for yummy Southern cuisine and are known for their rich flavor and nutritional value. Try eating them sautéed and braised or adding them to soups and stews.
- Mature Height: 12 to 36 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 50 to 60 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 10.
- Care Requirements: Partial shade, moist soil, fertile soil.
Georgia and Vates are popular heat-tolerant collard green cultivars that thrive in summer gardens and produce abundant, nutritious leaves.
15. Okra
Okra is a heat-loving vegetable perfect for August gardens, thriving in the warmest conditions. Okra has a lovely, unique texture and is a staple in many Southern dishes, especially gumbo. It’s also delicious when fried or pickled.
- Mature Height: 3 to 6 feet.
- Days Until Maturity: 60 to 70 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 4 to 10.
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, trellis, or cage support.
Clemson Spineless and Jambalaya are excellent okra heat-tolerant cultivars known for their productivity and tender pods.
16. Cowpeas
Southern peas, also known as cowpeas, are well-suited to hot August weather, making them a superb choice for this time of year. These drought-tolerant peas thrive in the heat, providing a delicious and nutritious harvest. They work well in various dishes, from salads to stews.
- Mature Height: 3 to 6 feet.
- Days Until Maturity: 60 to 70 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 4 to 10.
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, trellis, or cage support.
Black-eyed Peas and Purple Hull are popular pea cultivars for their resilience and unique flavors.
Read More – 24 Unique Ways To Hide Unsightly Treestumps In Your Yard!
17. Green Onions
Green onions are quick-growing and versatile, making them a fantastic choice for August planting. They can tolerate various temperatures and are perfect for adding a fresh, mild onion flavor to dishes. Green onions are a kitchen staple, whether used raw in salads or as a garnish for cooked dishes.
- Mature Height: 6 to 12 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 20 to 30 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 10.
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.
Evergreen Hardy White and Red Baron are excellent green onion cultivars that can handle the summer heat.
18. Basil
Basil is the king of summer herbs! It thrives in warm August weather, loving the heat and sunshine. You can quickly harvest it continuously, encouraging new growth and a bountiful supply of fresh leaves. With proper care, basil will flourish into the cooler months, adding fresh flavor to your summer and autumn dishes.
- Mature Height: 6 to 36 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 20 to 40 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 10.
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.
For a prolific and heat-tolerant variety, try Genovese Basil. It provides boatloads of flavorful leaves for your kitchen. Thai Basil is another excellent heat-tolerant cultivar.
19. Asian Greens (Bok Choy, Tatsoi)
Asian greens like bok choy and tatsoi are quick-growing and can tolerate the August heat, especially with some afternoon shade. These leafy greens are versatile in the kitchen, perfect for stir-fries, soups, and salads.
- Mature Height: 6 to 12 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 20 to 30 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 10.
- Care Requirements: Partial shade, moist soil, fertile soil.
Toy Choy and Rosette Tatsoi are heat-tolerant cultivars that grow fast and are lovely for an end-of-summer harvest. They add a delicious, fresh, and zesty flavor to home-cooked meals.
Read More – Our All-In-One Guide To Growing Vertical Zucchini!
20. Microgreens
Microgreens are the speedy, nutrient-packed babies of the plant world, perfect for quick, successive plantings in August. These tiny greens pack flavor and nutrition, making them a great addition to salads, sandwiches, and smoothies. They grow fast, often ready to harvest in just a few weeks.
- Mature Height: 1 to 3 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 7 to 14 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 10.
- Care Requirements: Partial shade, moist soil, fertile soil.
Varieties like sunflower, radish, and arugula microgreens are particularly fast-growing and flavorful.
21. Beets
Beets are the underground gems of the garden, offering sweet, earthy roots and tender greens. They’re perfect for August planting as they can handle the heat and cooler nights that often come toward the end of summer. Beets are versatile for homestead chefs, whether roasted, pickled, or added to salads.
- Mature Height: 6 to 12 inches.
- Days Until Maturity: 50 to 60 days.
- Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 10.
- Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.
Detroit Dark Red and Golden are excellent August beet cultivars known for their heat tolerance and vibrant colors.
Conclusion
August may be a challenging time to start a garden, but with our list of suitable crops, you can still enjoy a bountiful harvest. These 21 garden gems, from radishes to okra and microgreens to herbs, are perfect for sowing in August. Don’t let the heat or the nearby frosts deter you—get creative, get planting, and enjoy the fruits of your labor!
What about you?
- Are you going to sow any crops in August? Which ones are you most excited to grow?
- Is August too late to start a garden, or is it an excellent opportunity to try something new?
- What’s your favorite crop to grow in the summer heat? Share your tips and tricks!
- Have you ever tried growing microgreens or Asian greens? What’s your favorite variety?
- How do you prepare your garden for potential early frosts? Share your strategies for extending the growing season!
We invite all August gardeners to respond with their thoughts.
Thanks again for reading.
Have a great day!
