August is ideal for prepping gardens for fall, offering a chance to plant fall vegetables while summer crops thrive. Key components include sowing seeds (leafy greens, brassicas, root vegetables) and transplanting herbs/vegetables (collard greens, cucumbers, mint, pansies). Seasonal produce is abundant, providing recipes and inspiration. Resources like gardenate.com and the Sunset Western Gardening Book aid in adapting techniques for specific regions.
The Complete August Gardening Guide time to get your fall garden started! Fri, 02 Aug 2024 01:46:13 GMT https://carmeninthegarden.substack.com/p/the-complete-august-gardening-guide August marks the perfect time to prepare your garden for Fall. Whether you're in sunny California or another part of the northern hemisphere, this month offers a unique opportunity to get a head start on fall vegetables and make the most of your garden. Contrary to popular belief, California does experience fall and winter, and it's not just the temperature that affects our plants—daylight length and the approaching rainy season play a big role too.
This guide is generally applicable across the northern hemisphere, but you can easily adjust it to suit your specific zone. Resources like gardenate.com and the Sunset Western Gardening Book are invaluable for fine-tuning gardening tasks. Let's dive into preparing our gardens for fall! This guide will provide you with:
Seeds to Sow
Transplants to Plant
Seasonal Produce Guide
Recipe Inspiration
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Seeds to Sow August is a prime time to start planting seeds for your fall garden. You can plant these seeds directly in the garden or start them in nursery pots indoors or outdoors if you haven’t yet made space. For example, let your tomatoes, eggplants, and other summer crops continue to thrive while you get a head start on fall planting. Starting fall vegetables in nursery pots allows you to transition smoothly without needing to pull out productive summer plants prematurely.
For detailed guidance on starting seeds indoors, check out this post:
Leafy Greens Leafy greens thrive in the cooler temperatures of fall and are easy to start either in pots or directly in the ground.
Spinach: I like the “Bloomsdale” variety for texture and flavor
Lettuce
Arugula
Brassicas Brassica refers to a genus of plants in the mustard family, Brassicaceae. Commonly known as cruciferous vegetable, brassicas include a wide variety of edible plants. These vegetables are known for their health benefits. Brassicas are hearty and can withstand cooler temperatures, making them perfect for fall planting.
Broccoli: I prefer to grow “purple sprouting broccoli” for continuous harvest.
Cabbage: I like to grow savoy, napa, and emerald cross.
Mustard Greens
Collard Greens
Swiss Chard
Kale: I grow a bunch of different kale types such as lacinato, curly, purple, and more.
Cauliflower
Brussels Sprouts
Kohlrabi
Turnips
Root Vegetables Most root vegetables perform better when directly sown in the garden. They prefer loose, well-worked soil and consistent watering.
Radishes
Carrots
Beets
Transplants to Plant August is an excellent time to transplant a variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers to ensure a bountiful fall garden. Your local nursery will have a good stock of the varieties that are best suited for your environment. Here are some top choices for transplants this month:
Vegetables Collard Greens : These hardy greens thrive in during the transition from warm to cooler weather.
Cucumbers : Late summer planting can yield a quick crop before cool weather. Choose fast-maturing varieties for the best results.
Watermelon : For those in warmer climates, transplanting watermelon can extend the harvest season. Opt for smaller, quicker-maturing varieties.
Herbs Parsley : This versatile herb can be transplanted now for a fresh supply through fall.
Chives : Easy to grow and perfect for adding a mild onion flavor to dishes.
Cilantro : Prefers cooler temperatures, making it ideal for an August transplant as the weather transitions.
Mint : Thrives in cooler weather and must be grown in its own container so it doesn’t take over your entire garden!
Oregano : Hardy and aromatic, oregano can handle cooler weather and will continue to grow into the fall.
Thyme : A resilient herb that can be transplanted now for a long-lasting harvest.
Sage : Perfect for fall cooking, sage is a hardy herb that can withstand cooler temperatures.
Green Onions : These can be transplanted for a quick and continuous harvest through the fall. I grow the walking variety as a perennial.
Flowers Pansies : These cheerful flowers can withstand cooler temperatures and add color to your garden.
Violas : Similar to pansies, violas are resilient.
Chrysanthemums : Often planted in late summer, chrysanthemums will bloom beautifully in the fall, offering stunning autumnal hues.
Seasonal Produce Guide
August is the pinnacle of the summer harvest season, with an abundance of fresh produce at its peak. Here's what to look for:
Apples
Blackberries
Blueberries
Corn
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Figs
Grapes
Green Beans
Hot and Sweet Peppers
Melons
Okra
Plums
Raspberries
Strawberries
Summer Squash
Sweet Potatoes
Tomatoes
Winter Squash
Zucchini
Recipe Inspiration Here are some recent summer recipes I've crafted using fresh, seasonal vegetables and herbs:
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