8 Best Vegetables to Grow in August

31/03/2024 Sav Taylor

There are plenty of vegetables you can grow in August, making the most of the last days of summer and setting yourself up for a bountiful harvest in the months to come.

Whether you're an experienced gardener looking to expand your crop rotation, or a newcomer seeking to make the most of the summer months, there’s still plenty of work that can be done during this time of year.

To help give you some autumn gardening inspiration, we’ve highlighted the 8 best vegetables to grow in August and our tips for a successful harvest.

8 Easiest Vegetables to Grow in August

In the UK, August is a great time to get those veggies in the ground! We've picked out 8 easy-peasy ones for your vegetable patch.

1. Lettuce

Lettuce is a surprisingly resilient crop, making it an ideal vegetable to plant during August. This period provides an optimal growing environment, as lettuce seeds germinate best in temperatures between 16°C and 18°C.

To achieve the best possible results, it's essential to keep the soil consistently moist and cool but not waterlogged, and to choose a spot in your garden that receives partial shade, protecting the plants from the midday sun, which can be quite strong in August.

Shade netting can be a great way to provide some shade and keep the soil moist during warmer months.

Our 2m Wide Dark Green Windbreak & Shade Netting provides 50% shade coverage and protects plants from strong gusty winds, providing a more stable growing environment.

For a continuous harvest, consider sowing a few seeds at intervals of 14 days throughout August.

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2. Oriental Leaves

Oriental leaves, such as pak choi and tatsoi, are superb choices for gardeners aiming to maximise their green spaces in August.

These leafy greens thrive in the cooler conditions of late summer, making them particularly suited for planting during this month. The slightly milder evening temperatures help prevent the leaves from bolting, which can often be a challenge with spring plantings.

Also, oriental leaves grow quickly, allowing for a speedy harvest within just a few weeks, ensuring gardeners can enjoy fresh, crisp greens at their dinner table.

3. Spring Onions

August is an excellent time for UK gardeners to sow spring onions, as this period allows them to take advantage of the summer warmth, which is crucial for germination.

Spring onions require a relatively short growing season and can easily slot into the garden's crop rotation, not demanding much space.

Planting in August also ensures that the soil is still warm enough to encourage quick germination, while the cooler nights that follow help to bolster root development without the plants bolting prematurely.

This quick turn-around and the ability to grow in as the weather begins to cool make them a robust choice for extending the gardening season.

How to Do Crop Rotation in the UK

4. Chicory

For UK gardeners, planting chicory in August presents a unique opportunity to cultivate a versatile and nutritious vegetable that thrives in the cooling temperatures of late autumn.

Chicory plants do well in the less intense sun of late summer, with their roots deepening and flavours intensifying as the nights start to draw in.

The key to successful chicory cultivation during this period is to keep the soil evenly moist and to ensure that the plants are not exposed to the harshest midday sun, which August can still bring.

By planting chicory in August, gardeners can anticipate a harvest that is both abundant and flavourful, typically ready to be gathered from late autumn through to winter, depending on the specific variety.

5. Turnips

August represents an optimal period for planting turnips in the UK, given the unique combination of warm soil that accelerates germination and the approaching cooler evening weather that is ideal for their growth and development.

Turnips sown during this time benefit from the residual warmth of summer, ensuring a swift emergence, while the progressively cooler days and nights towards the end of August and into September foster conditions that enhance the flavour and texture of the turnips.

This timing also allows for a dual-purpose crop; young turnip greens can be harvested as a tender leaf vegetable within a few weeks, while the roots mature into hardy bulbs, ready to be pulled from the ground in late autumn.

6. Corn Salad

Corn salad, also known as lamb's lettuce, is an ideal crop to plant in August for several reasons. This leafy vegetable benefits from the warm soil for germination while looking forward to the cooler weather of early autumn for its growth phase.

This timing ensures that corn salad can produce delicate, flavourful leaves without the risk of bolting, which higher temperatures might encourage.

Planting corn salad in August allows gardeners to extend their harvesting season, as this resilient leafy green can continue to provide fresh, nutritious salads well into the colder months, especially if given some protection from frosts.

We recommend using garden fleece to keep your crops safe from the first winter frosts.

Our Horticultural Garden Fleece is ideal for protecting delicate crops from cold and windy weather. It still allows water and air to reach your plants so they continue to thrive.

7. Rocket

Rocket flourishes when sown in the late summer months, and August presents an excellent window for UK gardeners to add this spicy leaf to their vegetable patch.

To sow rocket successfully in the potentially hot August weather, it's important to choose a location that offers some respite from the midday sun.

A partially shaded area can mitigate the heat, reducing the risk of the seeds drying out or the young plants bolting prematurely.

Our Net Grow Tunnel With Drawstring Open Ends is ideal for providing protection from direct sunlight for your baby rocket plants. The high-density polyethylene creates dappled light to prevent scorched leaves.

Following sowing, water the area gently but consistently, keeping the soil moist to facilitate germination, which normally occurs within a week.

To maintain a steady supply of rocket throughout late summer and into autumn, consider succession planting – sowing a small number of seeds every two to three weeks. This method ensures continuous harvests of fresh, peppery leaves to spice up your salads and cooking.

8. Spinach

Spinach is exceptionally adaptable and can be planted successfully during the warm August weather, providing UK gardeners with a versatile and nutrient-rich leafy green.

To get the best out of spinach planted in August, it's advisable to seek out a spot in the garden that benefits from partial shade. This helps to protect the plants from the fiercest midday heat, which can otherwise lead to bolting or wilting.

For best germination, prepare soil rich in organic matter, and keep moist but not waterlogged.

Sow spinach seeds directly 1.5cm deep, in rows 30cm apart, giving plants room to grow. Our Burgon & Ball 1m Wooden Seed & Plant Spacing Ruler is ideal for helping you space your seeds properly.

In warm August soil, seeds usually sprout in 5-9 days.

Harvesting can begin as soon as leaves reach a desirable size, often within 4 to 6 weeks from sowing, allowing for multiple cuttings from the same plant if managed carefully.

WM James' Top Tips for Sowing Success in August

August can be a tricky time to grow vegetables with the lingering summer heat, direct sunlight, and lack of rainwater.

But with a bit of know-how and some carefully scheduled gardening work, there's no reason why your vegetable garden can't thrive.

Water, Water, Water!

One of the most important tasks for gardeners during the often unpredictable climate of August is the consistent watering of their vegetable patches.

August, especially, can present a challenge with its blend of warm soil and potentially sporadic rainfall, which might not sufficiently meet the hydration needs of newly sown seeds and developing plants.

Regular watering becomes crucial to prevent the soil from drying out, ensuring that the roots of young vegetables can easily absorb the necessary nutrients for growth.

Also, the hydration helps maintain a cooler soil temperature, mitigating the stress on plants from fluctuating weather conditions and promoting a more consistent growth cycle.

Adequate water is particularly vital for leafy vegetables, like lettuce and spinach, which rely on it to produce their crisp, fresh leaves.

Regularly Weed Your Vegetable Garden

Weeding your vegetable patch is more than just a way to keep your garden looking neat; it's essential for the health and productivity of your plants.

Weeds compete aggressively with your vegetables for key resources such as sunlight, water, and especially nutrients. Left unchecked, these unwanted plants can quickly dominate a plot, depriving your crops of the vital elements they need for growth.

A few effective techniques can make this task both efficient and fruitful:

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Summary: Successfully Growing Vegetables in August

Growing vegetables in August can be immensely rewarding, setting the stage for a bountiful autumn harvest. With the right choices—like lettuce, oriental leaves, and spinach—and attention to detail in watering and weeding, your garden can flourish.

For more insights and tips on making the most of your garden each month, check out the rest of our Gardener’s Diary blog!

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