What to sow and grow in August

What-to-plant-in-August-sow-cornflowers — Cornflower ‘Classic Fantastic’ by Thompson & Morgan

August is the best time to prepare your garden for next year's blooms
Image: Cornflower 'Classic Fantastic' from Thompson & Morgan

Enjoy your garden this month while it’s looking its best, there are so many delicious fruits and vegetables ripe and ready to eat. August is also the time to start planning ahead if you want colourful autumn and winter blooms, or plenty of produce for your plate over the colder months. Read our helpful 'what to do in the garden in August' list to help you get started.

Here's what to plant in August, including things you can still sow from seed:

Flowers to sow and grow

What-to-plant-in-August-sow-viola-seeds.jpg — Viola x williamsiana 'Brush Strokes' from Thompson & Morgan

Sow overwintering violas now for springtime displays
Image: Thompson & Morgan

Herbs & vegetables to sow and grow

What-to-plant-in-August-sow-vegetables-winter-cabbage — Cabbage 'Tundra' F1 Hybrid (Winter Savoy) from Thompson & Morgan

Give your winter cabbages plenty of room!
Image: Thompson & Morgan

In the greenhouse / indoors

  • Sow winter lettuce such as 'Arctic King' or Winter Gem in modules to plant out later this month.
  • Sow parsley, coriander and chervil in seed trays now for growing under glass throughout the winter.
  • If you have a greenhouse you can still sow dwarf beans such as 'Delinel' for an autumn crop.

Direct sow outdoors

Plant outdoors

  • Plant out summer/autumn cauliflower ‘All The Year Round’ early in the month for an autumn harvest.
  • Finish planting out winter cabbage ‘Winter Jewel’ early in the month, allowing about 45cm between plants as they get quite big!
  • Finish planting out kale plants for winter and spring cropping.

Fruit to sow and grow

What-to-plant-in-August-strawberries — Strawberry ‘Elsanta’ from Thompson & Morgan

Ensure you get a good first season crop by planting strawberries now
Image: Strawberry 'Elsanta' from Thompson & Morgan

  • Plant newly pot grown strawberry plants (or your own runners as soon as they have rooted) in an area where you haven’t grown strawberries for three years or more to avoid disease. Planting now will allow them to establish well before winter.

Keep one step ahead — what to order this month

What-to-plant-in-August-sow-calendula-flowers — Calendula officinalis 'Pink Surprise' from Thompson & Morgan

Sow calendula seeds for a bright addition to next year's garden
Image: Calendula officinalis 'Pink Surprise' from Thompson & Morgan

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