What to Plant in August
Burlington, VT · Zone 5a
Last frost: May 10
Frost-free days: 144
Fall planting season is starting. Direct sow radishes, lettuce, spinach, and other fast cool-season crops for autumn harvest. Start brassica transplants indoors.
August at a Glance
Indoor
Transplant
Direct Sow
1
5
10
15
20
25
Cilantro
Beet
Broccoli
Carrot
Cauliflower
Kale
Lettuce
Peas
Radish
Swiss Chard
Turnip
Transplant 5
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Plant now
Broccoli
Apr 9 – Aug 8
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cauliflower
Apr 9 – Aug 8
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Kale
Apr 9 – Aug 23
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Swiss Chard
Apr 9 – Aug 31
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Later this month
Lettuce
Aug 17–31
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Direct Sow 6
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Plant now
Beet
Apr 1 – Aug 31
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Peas
Apr 1 – Aug 23
8 per sq ft
55–70 days
Turnip
Apr 1 – Sep 15
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
Carrot
Apr 9 – Aug 8
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Later this month
Cilantro
Aug 17 – Sep 23
9 per sq ft
30–45 days
Radish
Aug 17 – Sep 30
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
August Gardening Tips
- Lettuce, Broccoli, Kale can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
- Direct sow Carrot, Peas, Beet straight into the garden — no transplanting needed.
- Count backwards from your first frost date to determine the last safe date for starting fall crops.
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