For those seeking flavorful homegrown produce during winter and spring, consider planting these 7 effortless vegetables in August for a successful harvest.
Planting Vegetables for a Winter Harvest: A Guide for August
August is a crucial month for vegetable gardeners who want to extend their harvest into the colder months. Here's a guide on what to plant this August for a continuous supply of fresh produce from late fall through winter and into spring.
Root Vegetables
Root vegetables are perfect for August planting. They often taste sweeter after cooler temperatures arrive. Carrots, for instance, benefit from cooler weather and come in fast-growing varieties like ‘Romeo’ or ‘Scarlet Nantes’ for fall harvests. Beets are hardy and versatile, making them a good choice for autumn. Turnips are quick-growing and suitable for cooler weather, while radishes are very fast-growing and ideal for succession planting.
Leafy Greens
Leafy greens thrive in the cooler weather of fall and can often overwinter for spring harvesting. Kale is especially hardy and can be started indoors and transplanted later for winter and early spring harvests. Spinach, chard, bok choy, and mizuna are other leafy greens that grow well in the cooler weather of fall.
Other Vegetables
Spring onions can be planted in August for an autumn harvest and are suitable for smaller spaces or containers.
Recommended Vegetables for August Planting
| Vegetable | Type | Notes | |----------------|---------------|------------------------------------------| | Carrots | Root vegetable| Taste sweeter after cold; fast varieties available | | Beets | Root vegetable| Hardy, versatile, good for autumn harvest | | Turnips | Root vegetable| Quick-growing, good for cool weather | | Radishes | Root vegetable| Very fast-growing, suitable for succession planting | | Spinach | Leafy green | Likes cooler weather; some varieties bolt-resistant | | Kale | Leafy green | Very hardy, overwintering possible | | Chard | Leafy green | Thrives in cool weather | | Bok choy | Leafy green | Prefers cooler temperatures | | Mizuna | Leafy green | Fast-growing, mild peppery flavor | | Spring onions | Bulb/leafy | Suitable for autumn harvest and small spaces |
Tips for Successful Overwintering
To maximise your chances of having fresh homegrown vegetables from late fall through winter and into spring, it's beneficial to plant vegetables for the weeks and months ahead. Practices such as starting seeds indoors or protecting young plants with row covers can extend the growing season and ensure successful overwintering for certain crops like kale.
By following this guide, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest well beyond the summer months. Happy gardening!
[1] Gardening Know How
[2] The Spruce Eats
[3] BBC Gardeners' World
[4] Garden Myths
[5] Almanac
Incorporating root vegetables like carrots and beets into your home-and-garden landscape this August can provide you with a sweet and nutritious winter harvest. Alongside these, don't forget to plant leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and chard, which thrive in the cooler weather of fall and can even overwinter for an early spring harvest.
