As we approach the end of August, we also approach the end of the growing season in the Northern Hemisphere. I miss you already, fresh summer tomatoes.
However, that doesn’t mean it’s too late to plant vegetables for a fall harvest. In fact, there are a few crops that, when planted this time of year, actually thrive come fall!
To find out which veggies should be planted in late August, we spoke with two professional gardeners: Celina Debrito, the head gardener for Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards in Virginia, and Samson Mastroianni, the founder and lead designer of Samson Landscape + Design in Cleveland.
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“Although it’s late for the growing season, there are a couple of leafy greens and vegetables that are OK to plant [in late August],” Mastroianni tells Parade. This, he explains, is “because their harvest windows are not more than 2.5 months.”
Debrito agrees, adding that “there are quite a few fall vegetables that not only can be planted now, but should.”
Keep reading for their insights on five veggies that you should plant now—and four that you definitely shouldn’t.
Related: 9 Perennials to Cut Back in Late August—and 5 You Should Leave Alone
Gardeners Say You Should Plant These 5 Vegetables in Late August for a Fall Harvest
1. Kale and baby kale
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According to Mastroianni, kale plants “can last from late August until whenever the first hard-freeze is and sometimes beyond,” and they also germinate well in the warm soil of late summer.
If you prefer the taste of baby kale, your kale plant can “be harvested early as baby leaves.” Or, leave them “in the ground well into late fall, with growth beginning to slow down in winter.”
2. Carrots
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“The classics to start in mid-late August are long-growing root crops,” such as carrots, turnips and beets, says Debrito. “They have a long grow window of 50–75+ days, so starting them now while the soil is warm will help them germinate evenly—just be sure to keep the soil moist during dry spells.”
Mastroianni also recommends planting carrots at this time of year. “They take a bit longer than the other choices to get going, but can stay alive year round if given the chance,” he says. “I’ve given them the chance before, and they survive through deer grazing, 2 feet of freezing snow and single digit temperatures.”
Related: The 5 Perennials You Should Stop Deadheading in Late Summer, According to a Gardener
3. Spinach
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“Spinach can be started now as well, since it too has a long harvest window and is well adapted to different climates,” says Debrito.
When it comes to spinach, Mastroianni recommends starting your sprouts indoors, as they do better out of the heat. Make sure to keep your soil moist.
“At this point in the year, you can still grow the leaves to whichever maturity you’d like, and it’s even said that cooler temps add some sweetness,” he says. “For overwintering, mulch or cover them over for an early spring harvest.”
4. Swiss chard
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“Swiss chard is another great option,” says Debrito. She notes that Swiss chard “can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and has a nice long harvest window.” Plus, they add “a beautiful pop of bright color” to a vegetable patch.
5. Leaf lettuce
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Also known as green leaf lettuce or red leaf lettuce, this plant is a “pest magnet,” according to Mastroianni. That said, late August is still the best time of year to plant some leaf lettuce—just make sure to do so somewhere that’s not accessible to rabbits and deer, such as in a planter box on the deck.
After planting leaf lettuce, you should see baby leaves sprouting with four weeks. From there, sow your plants every two weeks, and you’ll have a consistent supply of leaf lettuce until the first frost.
Related: Why Your Hydrangeas Are Wilting Even Though You’re Watering Them, According to Gardeners
4 Plants That Gardeners Do Not Recommend Planting in Late August
1. Radishes
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“Radishes are a cool season crop and easy addition to the garden, and are often recommended to start in late summer,” says Debrito. However, it’s best to wait until late September to plant them.
“I find they get easily heat stressed and can prematurely bolt and not form correctly,” she adds. “I prefer to hold off for a month or so until the daytime temps drop a little. Radishes grow so quickly, so there’s no reason to rush the planting time!”
2. Tomatoes
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“Starting tomatoes from scratch or seed this late is not likely to see much of a yield,” warns Mastroianni. “Fungi and deer seem to ravage tomatoes this time of year.”
If you are really dying to grow your own tomatoes this late in the summer, he says your “best bet would be a late-stage farmers market plant, which can pay for itself if it generates a few pounds of tomatoes.”
Related: The One Mistake That’s Causing Your Basil to Flower Too Early, According to Gardeners
3. Pumpkins
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Even though pumpkins are the quintessential fall plant, if you haven’t planted any yet this year, you’re too late.
“Starting vine, fall-fruiting plants like watermelon or pumpkin this late is unlikely to come up with the best yield either,” Mastroianni explains. “Cantaloupe, gourds, anything that was more of an early-summer plant and commonly take 3-4 months to harvest is not a great idea right now.”
4. Head lettuce
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According to Mastroianni, head lettuce—which includes romaine, iceberg and butter lettuce—is “more fragile to dropping temps” than other greens and lettuces.
Planting these lettuces so late in the summer often “triggers rot and slime,” and you “won’t get to more than half-head by the time the real frosts set in,” Mastroianni says.
“Lettuces are a must for any vegetable garden, and are quite easy to grow!” adds Debrito. “However, they are delicate and sensitive to heat spikes, and fall varieties should not be started outdoors yet, unless they have a decent shade cloth. Even then, there a risk of them turning bitter if they get too hot, so I play it safe and just be patient a little longer!”
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Sources:
- Celina Debrito, head gardener for Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards
- Samson Mastroianni, founder and lead designer of Samson Landscape + Design