A Guide to Late-Summer Gardening
Though summer may be speeding by, there’s still plenty of time to plant a wide range of vegetables, greens, and herbs. August offers a great opportunity to sow crops that will thrive in the cooler months ahead, and you can even extend your harvest into winter and early spring. Here’s what you should focus on sowing in August to ensure a fruitful late-summer and autumn garden.
Root Vegetables and Salad Greens
August is an ideal time to plant root vegetables, as some can mature before winter temperatures set in, while others will thrive through milder winters. Consider sowing:
- Maincrop carrots
- Beets
- Summer radishes
- Turnips
These can be planted in areas where you’ve harvested early crops, such as potatoes. For salad greens, sow loose-leaf lettuces (non-hearting varieties) that will continue to produce fresh greens into autumn.
Be sure to water thoroughly after sowing, and if temperatures are high, it’s best to sow in the evening or cover the rows with netting or planks to keep the soil shaded and cool. This will help maintain moisture and promote good germination.
Winter-Hardy Lettuce and Herbs
For a winter salad, choose winter-hardy lettuce varieties. Sow these a few weeks after your summer lettuce to ensure a continuous supply of fresh leaves. You can start them in plug trays for easy transplanting when space becomes available in your garden or greenhouse. For outdoor planting, consider protecting your crops with cloches or horticultural fleece once the temperature drops.
Hardier herbs like parsley and coriander can also be sown now. These herbs are less likely to bolt in the summer heat and will continue to grow through the cooler months.
If you live in a mild climate, you may even have time to sow fast-growing crops like early cucumbers, beans, and courgettes. Check the seed packet for the days to maturity and compare it with the number of days remaining before your first frost. If there’s enough time, sow these crops now.
Hardy Greens and Spring Crops
Now is the time to plant cool-season vegetables like spinach, Swiss chard, and spring cabbages. These hardy greens will endure through winter and provide a harvest in the spring. They are less likely to bolt when sown in late summer, making them ideal for winter and early spring harvests. Spinach and chard are particularly versatile; young leaves are perfect for salads, while mature leaves can be steamed or stir-fried.
Spring cabbages are also a great choice to bridge the gap between the end of winter crops and the first harvests of spring. If you sow them now, they’ll be ready to transplant in a month and will provide a harvest in late spring.
For gardeners in hot climates, it may be necessary to start these cool-season crops indoors, where temperatures are more controlled. Once they germinate, gradually acclimatize them to outdoor conditions before transplanting into the garden.
Potatoes and Onions
Autumn onions, also known as Japanese onions, can be sown now. These onions will overwinter and provide an early harvest next year. You can start them from seed or sets (tiny bulbs), depending on your preference.
If you’re interested in Christmas potatoes, some garden centers offer seed potatoes that can be planted in containers for a late harvest. Choose a container at least 14 inches (35 cm) in diameter, add a few inches of potting mix, and plant three seed potatoes. Keep adding more potting mix as the plants grow, and move the container to a sheltered spot when the weather cools.
Extend Your Growing Season
For those in colder climates, it’s a bit late to sow certain winter brassicas like kale and sprouting broccoli, but you can still transplant young plants if available. If you can’t find plants, you might want to try sowing a tender kale variety like the ‘Red Russian’ for salad greens.
Consider using horticultural fleece, cold frames, or mini tunnels to protect your late-season crops. This extra layer of protection can extend the growing season by up to four weeks and even bring forward your spring harvests.
Conclusion
August is a busy time in the garden, with plenty of opportunities to sow a wide variety of crops that will thrive into autumn and beyond. From hardy greens and salad leaves to late-season vegetables and herbs, there’s no shortage of options to keep your garden productive throughout the cooler months. So, grab your seed packets and get planting—it’s time to take full advantage of the season’s potential!