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What to Plant in August — USDA Zone 5a

Here's everything you can start, transplant, sow, and harvest in August in USDA Zone 5a. This zone has an average last spring frost around April 25 and first fall frost around October 8, with a growing season of approximately 166 days.

There are 158 planting activities for August in Zone 5a.

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Zone 5a Moderate season
166 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
166 growing days
First Fall Frost October 8

Where Is Zone 5a?

Harvest in August

Plant Type Date Range Days to Maturity
Acorn Squash Vegetable 80–100 days
Ageratum Flower 60–75 days
Alpine Strawberries Fruit 90–180 days
Amaranth Vegetable 90–120 days
Anise Herb 90–120 days
Arugula Vegetable 30–50 days
Astilbe Flower 70–100 days
Bachelor's Button Flower 60–90 days
Basil Herb 50–75 days
Bee Balm Herb 90–120 days
Begonias Flower 70–90 days
Belgian Endive Vegetable 110–150 days
Bitter Melon Vegetable 60–90 days
Black Beans Vegetable 90–120 days
Black-eyed Susan Flower 60–80 days
Bleeding Hearts Flower 60–90 days
Borage Herb 50–60 days
Broccoli Vegetable 60–90 days
Brussels Sprouts Vegetable 90–130 days
Butternut Squash Vegetable 85–110 days
Cabbage Vegetable 60–100 days
Calabash Vegetable 80–120 days
Calendula Flower 50–70 days
Cantaloupe Fruit 70–90 days
Catnip Herb 60–80 days
Cauliflower Vegetable 55–100 days
Celeriac Vegetable 100–120 days
Celery Vegetable 80–120 days
Celosia Flower 60–90 days
Celtuce Vegetable 60–90 days
Chamomile Herb 60–90 days
Chard Vegetable 50–60 days
Chervil Herb 40–60 days
Chickpeas Vegetable 80–110 days
Chicory Vegetable 60–85 days
Chives Herb 60–90 days
Christmas Lima Beans Vegetable 80–100 days
Cilantro Herb 40–60 days
Collard Greens Vegetable 55–75 days
Columbine Flower 70–100 days
Comfrey Herb 60–90 days
Coreopsis Flower 60–80 days
Corn Vegetable 60–100 days
Cosmos Flower 60–90 days
Cowpeas Vegetable 60–90 days
Cucumber Vegetable 50–70 days
Cumin Herb 100–120 days
Daffodils Flower 20–40 days
Dahlias Flower 70–120 days
Daylily Flower 60–90 days
Delicata Squash Vegetable 80–100 days
Dianthus Flower 60–80 days
Dill Herb 40–60 days
Echinacea (Purple Coneflower) Flower 70–90 days
Edamame Vegetable 75–100 days
Eggplant Vegetable 65–85 days
Epazote Herb 45–60 days
Fava Beans Vegetable 75–100 days
Fennel Vegetable 60–90 days
Fennel (herb) Herb 60–90 days
Feverfew Herb 90–120 days
Foxglove Flower 80–120 days
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) Flower 70–100 days
Garlic Chives Herb 60–90 days
Geraniums Flower 70–100 days
Gladiolus Flower 70–100 days
Green Beans Vegetable 50–65 days
Ground Cherry Fruit 65–80 days
Honeydew Fruit 80–110 days
Horehound Herb 75–90 days
Hostas Flower 60–90 days
Hot Peppers Vegetable 70–120 days
Hubbard Squash Vegetable 100–120 days
Hyacinths Flower 14–28 days
Hydrangeas Flower 90–150 days
Hyssop Herb 70–90 days
Impatiens Flower 60–75 days
Irises Flower 60–100 days
Kabocha Vegetable 85–100 days
Kale Vegetable 50–70 days
Kidney Beans Vegetable 85–110 days
Larkspur Flower 60–90 days
Lavender Flower 90–120 days
Leeks Vegetable 90–150 days
Lemon Balm Herb 60–70 days
Lemon Thyme Herb 70–90 days
Lentils Vegetable 80–110 days
Lettuce Vegetable 30–60 days
Lilies Flower 70–120 days
Lima Beans Vegetable 60–90 days
Lobelia Flower 70–80 days
Lovage Herb 70–90 days
Lupine Flower 75–100 days
Marigolds Flower 50–70 days
Melon Vegetable 70–100 days
Mint Herb 60–90 days
Mitsuba Vegetable 50–70 days
Mustard Greens Vegetable 30–50 days
Nasturtium Flower 55–65 days
New Zealand Spinach Vegetable 55–70 days
Okra Vegetable 50–65 days
Onion Vegetable 90–120 days
Oregano Herb 60–90 days
Pansy Flower 70–90 days
Parsley Herb 60–80 days
Parsnip Vegetable 100–130 days
Peas Vegetable 55–70 days
Peonies Flower 90–120 days
Peppers Vegetable 60–90 days
Petunia Flower 70–90 days
Phlox Flower 80–110 days
Pole Beans Vegetable 55–70 days
Portulaca Flower 50–70 days
Potatoes Vegetable 70–120 days
Pumpkin Vegetable 85–120 days
Radicchio Vegetable 60–80 days
Romanesco Vegetable 75–100 days
Roses Flower 90–180 days
Rue Herb 70–90 days
Rutabaga Vegetable 80–100 days
Sage Herb 75–90 days
Salsify Vegetable 100–130 days
Salvia Flower 70–90 days
Savory Herb 50–70 days
Savoy Cabbage Vegetable 70–110 days
Scarlet Runner Beans Vegetable 60–80 days
Shallot Vegetable 90–120 days
Shiso Vegetable 50–70 days
Snap Peas Vegetable 55–70 days
Snapdragon Flower 70–100 days
Snow Peas Vegetable 50–65 days
Sorrel Herb 40–60 days
Soybeans Vegetable 80–120 days
Spaghetti Squash Vegetable 85–100 days
Spinach Vegetable 35–50 days
Squash (Summer) Vegetable 45–65 days
Squash (Winter) Vegetable 80–120 days
Strawberries Fruit 90–365 days
Sunchoke Vegetable 110–150 days
Sunflower Flower 70–100 days
Sweet Alyssum Flower 45–60 days
Sweet Corn Vegetable 60–90 days
Sweet Pea Flower 65–85 days
Sweet Potatoes Vegetable 90–120 days
Tarragon Herb 60–90 days
Thai Basil Herb 50–75 days
Thyme Herb 70–90 days
Tomatillo Vegetable 60–85 days
Tomatoes Vegetable 60–85 days
Tulips Flower 15–30 days
Vinca (Annual) Flower 70–90 days
Watermelon Vegetable 70–100 days
Wax Beans Vegetable 50–65 days
Winter Melon Vegetable 90–120 days
Yard Long Beans Vegetable 55–80 days
Yarrow Flower 60–90 days
Zinnia Flower 60–70 days
Zucchini Vegetable 45–60 days
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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Planting dates are estimates based on average frost dates — local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.