August  is prime time to plant cool-season vegetables for a fall harvest. Warm soil and cooler nights make these crops thrive in USDA Zones 5–8. Check your local frost date to ensure success, and try these 10 vegetables for a bountiful garden!

Vegetables to Plant Now

1. Lettuce – Sow loose-leaf varieties like ‘Red Sails’ (30–55 days). Zones 4–10. Plant 1/4 inch deep, 6–8 inches apart. Keep soil evenly moist to prevent bolting. Harvest outer leaves for a cut-and-come-again supply.
2. Spinach – Plant ‘Bloomsdale’ for tender leaves (30–50 days). Zones 4–9. Sow 1/2 inch deep, 2–4 inches apart. Prefers rich soil and partial shade in hot weather. Harvest young for salads or mature for cooking.
3. Kale – Try ‘Lacinato’ for sweet greens (30–70 days). Zones 3–9. Plant 1/4–1/2 inch deep, 12–18 inches apart. Frost enhances sweetness. Harvest lower leaves as plants grow for extended production.
4. Radishes – Fast ‘Cherry Belle’ (25–30 days). Zones 2–10. Sow 1/2 inch deep, 1 inch apart. Thin to 2 inches once seedlings sprout. Best grown in quick succession to avoid woody roots.
5. Carrots – Sow ‘Yaya’ for sweet roots (60–80 days). Zones 3–8. Plant 1/4 inch deep, 2 inches apart. Keep soil loose and stone-free for straight roots. Mulch lightly to maintain moisture.
6. Beets – ‘Detroit Dark Red’ gives roots and greens (50–75 days). Zones 2–11. Sow 1/2 inch deep, 3 inches apart. Thin early to allow room for roots. Young greens are excellent in salads.
7. Swiss Chard – ‘Rainbow Mixture’ for colorful stems (50–60 days). Zones 3–10. Plant 1/2 inch deep, 12 inches apart. Harvest outer stalks regularly to keep plants producing until frost.
8. Arugula – Peppery greens (20–40 days). Zones 4–10. Sow 1/4 inch deep, 2 inches apart. Fast grower—harvest baby leaves in as little as 3 weeks. Re-seed for continual harvest.
9. Turnips – ‘Hakurei’ roots (30–60 days). Zones 2–9. Plant 1/2 inch deep, 2–4 inches apart. Enjoy both the tender roots and nutritious greens. Mild flavor even when eaten raw.
10. Bok Choy – Harvest for stir-fries (30–40 days). Zones 4–9. Sow 1/4 inch deep, 6–8 inches apart. Prefers cooler temps and consistent moisture. Harvest whole heads or just outer leaves.

Planting Tips

• Add compost to enrich soil before planting.
• Water consistently and mulch to retain moisture.
• Use row covers to protect greens from pests.
• Sow radishes or lettuce every 1–2 weeks for continuous harvests.

Ready to grow your fall garden? Share your plans in the comments or explore more gardening tips!