What to Plant in August
Richmond, VA · Zone 7a
Last frost: Apr 1
Frost-free days: 214
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
Garlic
Kale
Leek
Lettuce
Onion
Potato
Swiss Chard
Turnip
Start Indoors 3
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Plant now
Kale
Jan 1 – Aug 8
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Swiss Chard
Jan 17 – Aug 31
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Later this month
Lettuce
Aug 17 – Sep 15
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Transplant 5
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Parsley
Feb 15 – Sep 23
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Kale
Feb 15 – Sep 23
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Leek
Feb 15 – Aug 16
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Onion
Feb 15 – Aug 23
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Swiss Chard
Feb 15 – Sep 30
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Direct Sow 6
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Garlic
Jan 1 – Sep 23
9 per sq ft
180–240 days
Beet
Feb 1 – Oct 8
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Turnip
Feb 1 – Oct 23
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
Carrot
Feb 15 – Sep 8
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Potato
Mar 1 – Aug 8
1 per sq ft
70–150 days
Dill
Apr 9 – Aug 16
4 per sq ft
40–60 days
August Gardening Tips
- Start Lettuce, Kale, Swiss Chard indoors now to give them a head start before transplanting outside.
- Kale, Parsley, Leek can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
- Direct sow Carrot, Potato, Garlic 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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