What to Plant in August
Philadelphia, PA · Zone 7a
Last frost: Apr 1
Frost-free days: 218
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
Carrot
Cauliflower
Garlic
Kale
Swiss Chard
Turnip
Start Indoors 1
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Swiss Chard
Feb 8 – Aug 23
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Transplant 4
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Plant now
Parsley
Mar 9 – Aug 23
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Kale
Mar 9 – Sep 15
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Swiss Chard
Mar 9 – Sep 23
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Later this month
Cauliflower
Aug 17–31
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Direct Sow 5
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Garlic
Jan 1 – Aug 23
9 per sq ft
180–240 days
Beet
Mar 1 – Sep 23
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Turnip
Mar 1 – Oct 16
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
Carrot
Mar 9 – Aug 23
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Dill
May 1 – 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.
- Kale, Cauliflower, Parsley can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
- Direct sow Carrot, Garlic, 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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