What to Plant in August
San Jose, CA · Zone 9b
Last frost: Feb 10
Frost-free days: 303
Late summer is prime time for starting your fall garden. Sow cool-season crops indoors or direct sow fast-maturing varieties. The heat will ease soon.
August at a Glance
Indoor
Transplant
Direct Sow
1
5
10
15
20
25
Chives
Dill
Lavender
Mint
Oregano
Parsley
Rosemary
Sage
Thyme
Artichoke
Beet
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower
Celery
Garlic
Kale
Leek
Lettuce
Onion
Potato
Radish
Squash
Strawberry
Swiss Chard
Turnip
Zucchini
Start Indoors 20
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Chives
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Lavender
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Oregano
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Rosemary
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sage
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Thyme
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Broccoli
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Brussels Sprouts
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Cabbage
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Celery
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
80–120 days
Kale
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Leek
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Onion
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Strawberry
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Swiss Chard
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Lettuce
Aug 9 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Transplant 22
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Chives
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Lavender
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Oregano
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Parsley
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Rosemary
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sage
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Thyme
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Broccoli
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Brussels Sprouts
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Cabbage
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Celery
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
80–120 days
Kale
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Leek
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Onion
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Strawberry
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Swiss Chard
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Squash
Apr 16 – Aug 8
1 per sq ft
45–65 days
Zucchini
Apr 16 – Aug 8
1 per sq ft
45–60 days
Lettuce
Jul 24 – Aug 16
4 per sq ft
45–60 days
Direct Sow 7
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Beet
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
50–70 days
Carrot
Jan 1 – Dec 31
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Garlic
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
180–240 days
Potato
Jan 1 – Aug 16
1 per sq ft
70–150 days
Turnip
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
30–60 days
Dill
Apr 1 – Aug 31
4 per sq ft
40–60 days
Radish
Jul 24 – Aug 16
16 per sq ft
22–30 days
August Gardening Tips
- Start Lettuce, Broccoli, Cabbage indoors now to give them a head start before transplanting outside.
- Squash, Zucchini, Lettuce 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.
Nearby Cities
Ready to plan your garden?
Add these crops to your garden plan and get personalized planting reminders for Zone 9b.
Start Planning Free