"August is ideal for planting these 10 plants on your property"
August is a prime time for gardeners to get busy planting cool-season vegetables and flowers that will provide fresh produce and vibrant blooms through the fall and winter months.
After planting, it's essential to water regularly but avoid overwatering. Gently loosen the soil and mulch beds to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Some examples of crops that can be planted in August for future harvests include spinach, turnips, chard, bok choy, spring cabbages, kale, and mizuna. These hardy or fast-growing crops are suitable for planting late summer to harvest in fall, winter, or early spring.
Other vegetables to consider for a fall or winter harvest include beets, radishes, carrots, salad leaves and lettuces, Swiss chard, parsley, broccoli, peas, and summer squash. Greens like kale and mizuna can be started indoors or in a protected environment and transplanted after a few weeks to extend their growing season into colder months. Protecting crops from frost with row covers or cloches further allows for harvesting through winter.
Onions prefer well-lit, loose soil without excessive moisture and should be planted at least 7-8 cm apart. Hardy roses can be planted in August in a calm, sheltered spot with morning sun and afternoon shade.
For those looking to enrich the soil, cover crops such as mustard and clover can be sown in "empty" land. Perennials like phlox, peonies, geraniums, statice, asters, and lavender can be planted 1-1.5 months before the first frost. Spinach, lettuce, arugula, and cilantro yield a crop already 30-40 days after planting and should be sown until mid-month.
Berries like currants and gooseberries should be planted with a 'head start'. Strawberries can be established in a new patch in late summer, allowing plants to root before frost for early spring growth. Garlic is planted with cloves at a depth of 4-6 cm and should be "hardened" in the cold and disinfected from pests before planting. The best fertilizers for garlic are compost, ash, and well-rotted manure.
In August, early varieties of onions for greens and even winter onions (shallots) are planted. Turnips and beets are also suitable for August gardening. Sorrel germinates well in cool and damp conditions. In southern regions, the end of August is the ideal time for winter garlic.
Remember to monitor the weather and protect plants with covers on cool nights if frost is expected. Use gentle fertilizers such as compost, ashes, and manure, but avoid excessive amounts to prevent burning young roots. If frost is forecast, cover the beds with agrofiber for an early spring harvest.
With a little planning and care, August planting can provide a bounty of fresh produce and beautiful flowers to enjoy through the colder months. Happy gardening!
Consider expanding your home-and-garden lifestyle by planting cool-season vegetables like spinach, turnips, and beets in August for a fall harvest. For a vibrant home-and-garden display, don't forget to include hardy flowers such as phlox, asters, and lavender in your garden planning.
