What to Plant in August
Charleston, SC · Zone 8b
Last frost: Mar 5
Frost-free days: 265
Late summer is prime time for starting your fall garden. Sow cool-season crops indoors or direct sow fast-maturing varieties. The heat will ease soon.
August at a Glance
Indoor
Transplant
Direct Sow
1
5
10
15
20
25
Basil
Chives
Dill
Lavender
Mint
Oregano
Parsley
Rosemary
Sage
Thyme
Artichoke
Beans (Bush)
Beet
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower
Celery
Garlic
Kale
Leek
Onion
Potato
Squash
Strawberry
Sunflower
Swiss Chard
Turnip
Zucchini
Start Indoors 20
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Chives
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Lavender
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Oregano
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Rosemary
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sage
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Thyme
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Leek
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Onion
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Strawberry
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Sunflower
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Brussels Sprouts
May 17 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Parsley
Jun 9 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Celery
Jul 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
80–120 days
Kale
Jul 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Swiss Chard
Jul 17 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Broccoli
Aug 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cabbage
Aug 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Aug 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Transplant 18
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Plant now
Chives
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Lavender
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Oregano
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Rosemary
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sage
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Thyme
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Leek
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Onion
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Strawberry
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Sunflower
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Squash
Feb 15 – Aug 8
1 per sq ft
45–65 days
Zucchini
Feb 15 – Aug 16
1 per sq ft
45–60 days
Basil
May 9 – Aug 23
4 per sq ft
25–35 days
Later this month
Parsley
Aug 17 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Kale
Aug 17 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Swiss Chard
Aug 17 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Direct Sow 7
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Plant now
Garlic
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
180–240 days
Beans (Bush)
Feb 22 – Aug 8
9 per sq ft
50–60 days
Dill
Jul 17 – Sep 8
4 per sq ft
40–60 days
Carrot
Jul 17 – Dec 31
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Potato
Jul 17 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
70–150 days
Later this month
Beet
Aug 17 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Turnip
Aug 17 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
August Gardening Tips
- Start Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale indoors now to give them a head start before transplanting outside.
- Squash, Zucchini, Kale can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
- Direct sow Beans (Bush), Carrot, Potato 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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