What to Plant in August
Chicago, IL · Zone 6a
Last frost: Apr 20
Frost-free days: 178
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
Dill
Parsley
Beet
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower
Kale
Swiss Chard
Turnip
Start Indoors 1
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Swiss Chard
Mar 1 – Aug 8
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Transplant 6
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Parsley
Apr 1 – Aug 8
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Broccoli
Apr 1 – Aug 16
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cabbage
Apr 1 – Aug 8
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Apr 1 – Aug 16
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Kale
Apr 1 – Sep 8
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Swiss Chard
Apr 1 – Sep 8
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Direct Sow 4
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Turnip
Mar 17 – Sep 30
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
Beet
Mar 24 – Sep 8
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Carrot
Apr 1 – Aug 8
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Dill
May 9 – Aug 8
4 per sq ft
40–60 days
August Gardening Tips
- Start Swiss Chard indoors now to give them a head start before transplanting outside.
- Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
- Direct sow Carrot, Beet, Turnip 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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