Knowing what to plant in your allotment and when is an easy way of ensuring you have an impressive harvest when the time comes. So, what can you plant in August?
Whether you're vegetable gardening for beginners or are wondering what's next in your long line of vegetable succession planting, certain seeds will need to be sown this month to guarantee a hefty harvest.
It can be hard to keep track of all your seed packets with their varying instructions, so we asked the garden experts exactly what veggies you should be planting this month.
Discover what vegetables to plant in August
Whilst you may follow the yearly garden trends, there are seasonal rules to follow more closely and these will help you get the most out of your vegetable patch.
Ensuring you're sowing your seeds at the right time is a key part of keeping your garden thriving and providing you with food for the seasons to come.
1. Kale
First up on your to-plant list is the popular superfood kale, which surprisingly is a leafy green that'll grow well into winter.
Georgina O'Grady, garden expert and Managing Director at Evergreen Direct, says, "Kale is particularly worthwhile this season; it’s resilient and can handle light frosts (which actually enhance its flavour). Sow seeds directly in rich, well-drained soil, spaced around 30 cm apart."
Why not try out Sarah Raven's salad-growing gutter trick? It's perfect for getting seedlings started! Sarah's website sells 'Nero di Toscana' kale seeds on her site with 100 seeds priced at £1.95.
2. Squash
It's not just autumn decor ideas that you can start introducing into your life; your gardening is also about to take an autumnal turn.
"Summer squash varieties like courgette, along with pumpkins, can still be planted in August, particularly in warmer regions. These heat-loving plants will produce fruit well into the autumn if given enough water and sunshine," explains Kate Turner, gardening guru at Miracle-Gro.
When planting squash seeds, Jane Dobbs, lead gardener at Allan's Gardeners, says, "Seeds should be sown in shallow trenches, covered lightly with soil, and watered gently. Keep your plants hydrated, especially during dry spells in August. Deep, infrequent watering makes roots grow deeper, making plants stronger."
To get you started, B&Q's 10-pack of seeds for butternut squashes is £2.99 and will have you feasting in no time.
3. Beets
Using some gardening tips for beginners and planting beets in your garden is a really easy way to get started with growing your food. Root vegetables are a great place to start, as they are easier to care for.
Victoria Cummins, gardening expert and Senior Editor at PlantWhisperer, explains, "August is perfect for beets as they enjoy the warm soil for germination but benefit from the cooler fall temperatures for root development. Plus, you get two vegetables in one - delicious roots and nutritious greens!"
When it comes to planting, Victoria recommends doing so in containers and sowing seeds around 1 inch apart in rows. She says as they grow, you need to thin the seedlings to 3 inches apart so the roots have a chance to develop.
"Beets prefer a deep pot, at least 12 inches deep, to accommodate their root system," she finishes. You can plant different varieties of beets. These seeds from RHS are mixed beetroot and will provide you with four different coloured vegetables, priced at £2.99.
4. Turnips
Love them or hate them, turnips are a classic addition to the great British roast and should be planted in August for the best chance of successful growth. You can pick up a packet of seeds from Amazon for just £3.79 and start planting as soon as possible.
Victoria says, "These fast-growing vegetables are ideal for August planting. Like beets, they offer both roots and greens, maximising your harvest from a single plant."
"For turnips, sow seeds directly in your planter, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Like beets, they'll need thinning as they grow. A wide, shallow container works well for turnips," she adds.
Even if you don't want to eat the greens from your root vegetables, you can use another sustainable garden idea and compost that part.
5. Broccoli
Another great vegetable to get planted in August is broccoli, and this is usually best grown in a vegetable patch so it has ample room to grow up and out.
"Planting broccoli in August allows it to mature in the cooler fall weather, which enhances its flavour. It's a great way to enjoy fresh, homegrown broccoli in autumn," says Victoria.
She explains that broccoli is best started indoors and then transplanted into larger pots or plots. "Each broccoli plant needs about 18 inches of space, so choose your container accordingly. Use a nitrogen-rich potting mix for best results," Victoria adds.
You can pick up some broccoli seeds from B&Q for only £1.98, and if you get stuck with care, they offer growing advice on their site too.
6. Rocket
Rocket and other salad leaves are perfect for growing in pots if you need to save space this season. You don't need a large pot to sustain your own salad addiction.
"A fast-growing leafy green rocket is ideal for sowing in August to provide you with fresh leaves to pick throughout the autumn months. Good varieties to include are ‘Runway’ with deeply serrated leaves and tangy flavour, or for large, rounded leaves try ‘Apollo’ which has an excellent peppery taste," explains Lucie Bradley, gardening expert at Easy Garden Irrigation.
You can pick up some rocket seeds for just £3.10 at Amazon.
7. Carrots
Another classic vegetable that benefits from a late summer planting, carrots are a fast-growing crop that thrives in cooler temperatures.
"Carrots actually taste sweeter and crunchier when grown in the autumn, as carrots convert stored starches into sugars to protect themselves from colder weather, and we benefit from their enhanced taste. Pick fast-growing varieties such as ‘Paris Market’, which takes just 50 days from sowing to harvesting or ‘Lunar White’, which is ready to harvest in just 68 days," says Lucie.
For only £5.49, you can buy some Paris Market carrot seeds from B&Q.
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FAQs
What is the best vegetable to grow in August?
Similar to how there are certain species that you should plant in February and flower seeds to sow in April, August also has its favourites.
"While all these vegetables are great options, I'd say kale is the best vegetable to grow in August. It's incredibly versatile, nutritious, and can withstand frost, extending your harvest well into winter. Plus, it's perfect for container gardening, making it accessible even for those with limited space," says Victoria.
Jane is also quick to highlight all the advantages of planting in August, whilst it might seem quite late in the year. She explains that if you plant in August, you'll be able to enjoy fresh veggies well into autumn and early winter.
Jane adds, "Many vegetables grow faster in August since the soil is still warm from the summer. The warmth helps plants establish faster than in spring. By planting in August, you'll be able to fill in gaps left by early-season crops and make efficient use of your garden space."
"Also, when the weather cools down, some common garden pests are less active, making pest control easier compared to earlier in the season."
When to plant winter vegetables?
If you want to know the vegetables you need to plant now to enjoy for Christmas, you may be contemplating when you need to start on your winter veggies.
"August is a good month to start winter vegetables, as sowing in summer ensures that the vegetables are big enough to survive the colder weather later in the year. The warmer soil and weather in August can also mean that seedlings will grow faster," recommends Richard Barker, gardening expert and Commercial Director of LBS Horticulture.
All you'll need to do then is avoid winter gardening myths and ensure the vegetables are properly cared for.
What vegetables should you not plant in August?
In the same way, there are plants that should and shouldn't be pruned in August, there are also some vegetables that can't be planted at this time of year.
"In August, it is not recommended to plant any vegetables that have a long growing season or are sensitive to frost, as they may not reach the level of maturity needed to be able to survive the winter weather in time," starts Richard.
"This can include peppers and aubergines, as they need consistently warm temperatures when growing. Certain root vegetables, like parsnips or carrots, will not mature properly if planted in August, as it is too late due to their long growing season," he adds.
Before you start any planting or seed sowing, Jane recommends preparing your soil. She says you'll need to clear out any remnants of previous crops, add compost or manure to enrich the soil and make sure it's well-drained and aerated.
