What to Plant in August
USDA Zone 9a
Last frost: Feb 1 – Feb 15
Frost-free days: 250–300
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
Rosemary
Thyme
Oregano
Sage
Mint
Beans (bush)
Cucumbers
Summer Squash
Corn
Southern Peas
Transplant 5
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Rosemary
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Thyme
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Oregano
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Sage
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Direct Sow 6
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Southern Peas
Mar 15 – Aug 1
Corn
Aug 1 – Sep 1
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Beans (bush)
Aug 15 – Oct 1
9 per sq ft
50–60 days
Cucumbers
Aug 15 – Sep 15
2 per sq ft
50–70 days
Summer Squash
Aug 15 – Sep 15
August Gardening Tips
- Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
- Direct sow Corn, Mint, Southern Peas 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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