What to Plant in August
Des Moines, IA · Zone 5b
Last frost: Apr 25
Frost-free days: 168
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
Beet
Carrot
Kale
Peas
Swiss Chard
Turnip
Transplant 2
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Kale
Mar 17 – Aug 23
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Swiss Chard
Mar 17 – Aug 31
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Direct Sow 5
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Plant now
Beet
Mar 17 – Sep 8
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Turnip
Mar 17 – Sep 30
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
Carrot
Mar 24 – Aug 8
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Dill
May 9 – Aug 8
4 per sq ft
40–60 days
Later this month
Peas
Aug 17–31
8 per sq ft
55–70 days
August Gardening Tips
- Kale, Swiss Chard 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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