Plant Your Fall Crops in August
During August, you can plant vegetables that you can harvest later that fall. You also have an opportunity to plant vegetables that will benefit from being in the ground all winter and can be harvested in early spring. Most root crops have a sweeter, fuller taste after 1 or 2 freezes. If your soil is well drained, the best location for root storage is in the garden under a protective layer of straw. If your soil is extremely wet, dig the roots, cut off the tops, and store the roots in a cool, dark, location at 95% relative humidity.
Crops that can be planted in early August that are usually ready to harvest in fall:
- Cilantro
- Beets that reach maturity in 50-60 days like Merlin or Touchtone Gold
- Broccoli Raab
- Green Onion
- Radish
- Spinach
- Swiss Chard
Late August brings slightly cooler weather which is a great time to plant fast growing greens like arugula and mustard.
Other crops that can be planted in late August to be over-wintered and harvested in early spring:
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Caraway
- Carrot
- Fava beans (a good cover crop, too!)
- Garlic
- Turnips
Crops that can be planted in late August to be over-wintered and harvested in early spring but need to be protected by a cloche:
- Endive
- Lettuce
- Spinach
