What to Plant in August

Minneapolis, MN · Zone 4b

Last frost: May 1 Frost-free days: 155

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
Cauliflower
Kale
Peas
Radish
Swiss Chard
Turnip

Transplant 3

Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.

Cauliflower
Cauliflower
Apr 9 – Aug 8
1 per sq ft 55–100 days
Kale
Kale
Apr 9 – Aug 23
1 per sq ft 50–65 days
Swiss Chard
Swiss Chard
Apr 9 – Aug 23
4 per sq ft 50–60 days

Direct Sow 5

Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.

Plant now

Turnip
Turnip
Apr 1 – Sep 15
9 per sq ft 30–60 days
Beet
Beet
Apr 9 – Aug 23
9 per sq ft 50–70 days
Peas
Peas
Apr 9 – Aug 23
8 per sq ft 55–70 days

Later this month

Cilantro
Cilantro
Aug 24 – Sep 23
9 per sq ft 30–45 days
Radish
Radish
Aug 24 – Sep 23
16 per sq ft 22–30 days

August Gardening Tips

  • Kale, Cauliflower, Swiss Chard can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
  • Direct sow Peas, Beet, Radish 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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