August isn’t the end of gardening season – it’s more like the second act.

The heat may still be lingering, but the days are getting shorter, and that little shift opens the door to some seriously productive planting.

What can you grow this late in the game?

Quite a lot, actually.

This is the moment for fast-maturing, cold-tolerant, or quick-harvest crops – stuff that doesn’t mind the cooling nights and shorter days.

Some thrive with just a little shade. Others love the warm soil and leap into action faster than they would in spring. And a few can keep going well into the cold months if you time things right.

You’ll find tender greens, crunchy roots, and even a few surprises that might make you say, “Wait, I can still grow that?”

Let’s get into it.

20 Vegetables to Plant in August

This list pulls together 20 solid options you can still plant in August – whether you’ve got a garden bed that just opened up, a bit of unused space, or maybe just the itch to squeeze in one more round before frost.

1. Swiss Chard

Swiss chard’s the kind of crop that just quietly does its thing – no fuss, just steady growth. August is actually a sweet spot for planting a new batch if you want tender leaves well into fall.

Find a sunny patch (though partial shade’s fine too), dig in some compost, and keep the soil moist, especially if the weather’s still hot and dry. It doesn’t need much else.

The best part? It’s a cut-and-come-again crop. Snip the outer leaves, and the plant keeps producing. You can toss young ones straight into a salad or let a few get big and toss them in a skillet with garlic. Both work.

And if you plant a few more in August, you’ll get a steady supply of smaller, tender leaves just when your early-summer crop starts to slow down.

2. Kale

Kale likes the cold. The cooler it gets, the better it tastes – literally. A little frost makes it sweeter.

August is when you want to get those seeds in the ground if you’re aiming for fall or even winter harvests. It takes a couple months to mature, but it’s worth the wait.

In hotter zones, tuck it in a spot that gets some afternoon shade. The heat can stress it, and kale doesn’t do well with stress.

Sow seeds directly in well-drained, loamy soil and keep the area weeded. Water during dry spells. Not much else to it.

You can harvest baby leaves or wait for full-grown ones. Either way, it just keeps going if you keep snipping.

3. Lettuce

Lettuce is the definition of low-maintenance. And August planting gives you a second wave of crisp greens just when you thought the season was winding down.

Go for loose-leaf varieties for the fastest return, and plant in successions every couple weeks into early September. That way, you’re not hit with one giant lettuce avalanche all at once.

Give it a sunny spot unless you’re in a really warm zone – then a little afternoon shade or row cover helps. Enrich the soil with a high-nitrogen fertilizer before planting. Lettuce loves nitrogen like bees love flowers.

Sprinkle those tiny seeds on the surface, pat them down gently, and water with care so you don’t blast them out of the soil. Harvest whole heads or just grab what you need and leave the rest. Either way, it’ll keep coming.

4. Spinach

Spinach is one of those crops that quietly works overtime in the garden. Sow it in late summer, and you could be picking leaves all through fall – maybe even into winter if things go your way.

But it’s hungry. Before planting, toss in some compost or a balanced fertilizer to feed the soil. Spinach likes it rich.

Seeds can go directly into the ground. Keep the soil moist (not soggy), especially while it's germinating. Dry spells can mess things up fast.

You can harvest the outer leaves and let the center keep growing. Or pull the whole plant if you're clearing space. Either way, you'll be glad you squeezed it in this late.

5. Mustard Greens

Mustard greens don’t get enough love. They’re easy, fast, and pack a spicy punch that’s hard to beat especially in stir-fries or tossed into a mixed salad.

Sow the seeds straight into the soil in August. Any sunny spot will do, though a little shade won’t hurt if the afternoons are blazing. You don’t need to pamper it. Just water when things dry out and keep the weeds in check.

Pick young leaves if you like that tender bite. Let a few grow larger if you're after bolder flavor.

And if you want variety, try mizuna – it's technically a mustard green, and it’s made for this kind of late-season planting.

6. Arugula

Peppery and fast – that’s arugula. It’s one of the easiest greens to squeeze into an August planting schedule.

Scatter seeds in free-draining soil that got a light compost refresh. It doesn’t need deep prep, just a decent spot in the sun (or partial shade if the heat’s intense). Keep the soil moist, and it’ll be up in no time.

You can treat it as cut-and-come-again for repeat harvests or pull whole plants once the leaves get the size you like. Either way, it adds a sharp edge to salads that other fall greens can’t match.

7. Carrots

Carrots need time (at least three months) so an August sowing cuts it close. But it's still doable, especially if you’re aiming for smaller, tender roots or planning to overwinter them right in the ground.

Choose a sunny spot with loose, sandy, stone-free soil. Rocks or clumps will make them fork and twist. Water daily during germination; carrot seeds are tiny and stubborn, especially if the soil crusts over.

Once they’re up, keep things weed-free and moist, but not soggy. You can pull them early as finger-sized baby carrots, or leave them to bulk up into fall. Some folks even mulch them and harvest deep into winter – just depends on your setup.

8. Radishes

If you're impatient, radishes are your best friend. Some varieties mature in just 25–30 days. That’s not a typo.

Plant them between slower crops (like carrots or beets) and they’ll be ready to harvest before the others even think about bulking up. The soil doesn’t need to be rich, just light and well-drained. No need for fertilizer. Really.

Keep watering steady, and harvest young for the best flavor. Wait too long and they get woody or bitter. Quick in, quick out. No drama.

9. Beets

Beets are a two-for-one deal. You get the root, and you get the greens – which taste a lot like Swiss chard.

They don’t love extreme heat, so August planting is actually perfect, especially if you're in a zone where fall lingers. Sow the seeds directly into light, well-drained soil, and water to keep things evenly moist.

Expect to wait two to three months for decent-sized roots. But the greens? You can start harvesting those early. Just don’t take more than a leaf or two per plant at a time if you want the root to keep developing.

10. Turnips

Turnips are one of those underappreciated crops that actually do great in the tail end of summer. They grow fast, don’t ask for much, and offer both edible roots and tasty tops that resemble mustard greens.

Find a sunny spot – though partial shade is fine if your afternoons still hit hard and sow the seeds directly into the soil. Water regularly to keep the growth steady.

You’ll want to harvest them when they’re still small, around 2 inches across. That’s when they’re sweetest and most tender. Let them get bigger, and they start losing that charm. Plus, you can pluck the greens a bit along the way.

11. Kohlrabi

Kohlrabi looks weird, no doubt – but it’s worth growing. It tastes like a cross between broccoli stems and turnips, and everything’s edible.

Get it into the ground in early August for an October harvest. Enrich the soil a bit, and keep things evenly watered. If the soil dries out, you’ll end up with tough, woody bulbs—and nobody wants that.

Stagger your planting every couple of weeks if you want a steady stream. Harvest when the bulb is somewhere between a golf ball and a baseball. Any bigger, and the texture starts to go.

12. Rutabaga

Rutabaga doesn’t usually make the top of anyone’s list, but maybe it should. It’s like a turnip that bulked up and mellowed out – mild, sweet, and reliable in cooler weather.

Plant it in early to mid-August so it has time to mature before a hard frost. Like most root crops, it prefers loose, stone-free soil and consistent moisture. Nothing fancy.

It takes a bit longer to grow (usually closer to 90 days) but you can eat the greens long before that if you like. And if your fall’s mild, you might get roots the size of softballs. Somehow, this works.

13. Green Beans (Bush & Pole)

August is basically the last call for green beans especially if you want a harvest before frost hits.

Go with quick-growing varieties like Contender, Provider, Top Crop, or Kentucky Wonder. These can go from seed to plate in as little as 7 weeks, which is exactly what you need this late in the season.

Sow seeds about an inch deep in fertile, well-draining soil in a sunny spot. Soaking them overnight can help speed up germination, especially if your soil’s on the dry side. Pole beans will need some support, so get your stakes or trellis in place early.

Keep them watered, and they’ll push out pods fast. Just be ready to pick regularly—green beans don’t wait around.

14. Cucumbers (Bush & Vine)

Yes, you can still grow cucumbers in August but you’ve got to move quickly and choose the right type.

Bush varieties take up less space and mature faster, so they’re your safest bet for a late planting. Vine types can still work, but only if your season stretches well into fall and you’re willing to trellis them to keep things tidy.

Plant in full sun, in warm soil, and water consistently. Skip the heavy nitrogen – too much and you’ll get all vine, no fruit.

With any luck, you’ll be slicing fresh cucumbers by late September. Not a bad bonus round.

15. Peas (Sugar and Green)

Peas in the fall? Surprisingly, yes – especially if you’re in zones where the first frost doesn’t slam down right after Labor Day.

Mid to late August works well for a second crop. Choose fast-maturing varieties and plant in full sun. The soil should be loose and rich, and like with beans, it helps to give them something to climb.

Cooler nights actually make peas sweeter. So while they don’t love high heat, they’ll thrive as temperatures drop—just make sure they’ve got enough time to flower and fruit before the freeze.

16. Broccoli

Broccoli’s not just for spring. In fact, a lot of gardeners prefer their fall harvests – cooler weather means tighter heads and better flavor.

If it’s still pretty warm where you are, it’s smarter to start the seeds indoors and then transplant them outside once they’re past the seedling stage. August is the right time for that in Zones 5 through 8.

Broccoli likes full sun, fertile loamy soil, and space – at least 12 to 24 inches between plants. Give it room to breathe. Once the main head is harvested, many varieties will keep producing smaller side shoots, so don’t pull the whole plant right away.

17. Bok Choy

Bok choy is a quick win. Plant it in August, and you could be munching on baby greens in just 30 days.

This leafy green prefers cooler temps, so it’s actually happier now than in midsummer. In warmer climates, partial shade will help prevent it from bolting (flowering too early). Keep the soil moist and mulch around the base to lock in that moisture.

Direct sow it in well-drained soil, give it some space, and water regularly. Harvest when it looks good to you – baby bok choy or full-sized, both are tasty.

18. Rapini

Rapini’s like broccoli’s cousin – just a little faster and a bit more rustic.

It matures quicker than traditional brassicas, making it a great pick for an August sowing. Plant seeds directly in rich, well-drained soil and keep it consistently watered.

The whole plant is edible: leafy tops, small buds, tender stems. It’s slightly bitter, in a good way. If you’ve ever had Italian-style sautéed greens with garlic and chili flakes—yep, that’s rapini.

19. Cilantro

Cilantro can be tricky in the heat – it bolts fast. But planting it in early August? That’s the move. Cooler days are coming, and that’s when cilantro actually settles down and grows like it’s supposed to.

Look for slow-bolt varieties if you can find them. Give it a little afternoon shade in warmer zones and sow seeds directly into well-drained soil. Water regularly to keep things moving.

It grows quickly, and you can start snipping leaves within a few weeks. If it bolts later in the season, hey – bonus. You’ll get coriander seeds too.

20. Scallions (Green Onions)

Scallions are the quiet workhorses of the garden. They don’t take up much space, grow pretty fast (around 8 weeks), and don’t ask for much in return.

Plant them in early August for a dependable fall harvest. Any sunny spot with well-draining soil will do. Water them during dry spells and keep the weeds down – simple as that.

If you’ve got leftover onion sets from spring, this is a good time to stick them back in the ground. Nothing wasted.

Take Advantage of August – Plant for Fall Success!

August isn’t a gardening dead-end – it’s a second chance.

You’ve got 20 solid crops you can still plant right now, from fast-turnaround greens to hardy roots and even a few fruiting standouts.

The trick is knowing your first frost date and picking varieties that can mature in time or tolerate a bit of chill. Start with the quick growers like radishes and arugula, mix in some sturdy options like kale and beets, and don’t be afraid to throw in a surprise or two (looking at you, cucumbers).

Whether you’re filling in empty spaces or trying to stretch your harvest a little longer, this is your window.

You don’t need perfect conditions – just a bit of timing, some decent soil, and the will to plant when others have already called it a season.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I still plant in August even if I live in a colder zone?

Yes, but you’ll need to be picky. Focus on fast-growing crops like radishes, arugula, spinach, or baby greens. And keep an eye on your local frost date.

2. What crops are most likely to succeed with minimal care?

Try lettuce, radishes, mustard greens, or scallions. They don’t need much beyond watering and a bit of weeding.

3. How do I protect my August crops from early frost?

Use row covers, cold frames, or even old sheets on cold nights. Mulching also helps regulate soil temperature as nights cool down.

4. Are there any crops I can keep harvesting into winter?

Definitely—kale, spinach, Swiss chard, and carrots can all last into winter with a bit of protection, especially in mild climates.

5. Do I need to fertilize the soil for late-season crops?

Some, yes. Leafy greens like spinach and lettuce love nitrogen. Root crops generally do fine with compost-enriched soil, no extra feeding needed.