What to Plant in August in the UK
August is a quieter planting month in the UK vegetable garden, but there are still several crops you can sow for autumn harvests.
Warm soil helps seeds germinate quickly, although shorter days mean plants grow more slowly than earlier in summer.
Planting in August helps extend the growing season into autumn.
Vegetables to sow outdoors in August
Some fast-growing vegetables can still be planted successfully in August.
These include:
lettuce
spinach
spring onions
radishes
turnips
These crops grow quickly enough to produce before colder weather arrives.
Late-season salads
August is a good time to plant leafy vegetables for autumn harvests.
Good options include:
lettuce
rocket
spinach
These often grow well in slightly cooler late-summer conditions.
Container planting in August
Containers can still be used for quick crops.
You can plant:
lettuce
herbs
spinach
radishes
Keep containers watered regularly during warm weather.
Caring for the garden in August
By August, many vegetables are ready to harvest.
This is a good time to:
harvest regularly
remove finished plants
water during dry periods
prepare space for autumn crops
Clearing space helps new plantings grow.
Slowing pace of planting
August marks the gradual slowdown of the planting season.
Fast-growing vegetables work best now, as slower crops may not mature before cooler weather arrives.
Even small sowings can provide useful autumn harvests.