August: The Transition Month
August is a transitional time. The heat of summer is still present, but fall is approaching. August is ideal for planting a second garden that carries you through autumn. With planning, you can enjoy fresh vegetables well into October.
Quick-Maturing Vegetables
Radishes (25-30 days), baby greens like arugula (20-30 days), green onions (50-60 days), and bush beans (50-60 days) are excellent for August planting. You will harvest before the first frost if you plant early in the month.
Cool-Season Crops
August is perfect for cool-season vegetables like carrots, beets, turnips, and kale. These crops taste better after a light frost, which converts starches to sugars. Swiss chard tolerates both heat and cold.
Leafy Greens for Fall
Spinach, lettuce, and other greens prefer cool weather. Plant in partial shade or use shade cloth. Succession plant every two weeks for a continuous supply through fall.
Extending Your Season
Row covers or cold frames can add 4-6 weeks to your growing season. Floating row covers are inexpensive and provide several degrees of frost protection while letting in light and water.