What Veg Seeds To Sow In August

August is a pivotal month for gardeners looking to extend their harvest into the cooler months. As summer begins to wane, the soil is warm and ready to welcome a new round of vegetables that thrive in the late-season weather. Knowing what to sow in August can ensure a continuous supply of fresh, homegrown produce well into autumn as well as helping to fill the dreaded ‘hungry gap in early spring’. From robust root vegetables to crisp greens, this guide will help you make the most of your August planting, ensuring your garden remains productive and vibrant as the seasons change.

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Cabbages

• Sowing: Start seeds in module trays to help protect the young seedlings from cabbage white butterflies which will still be on the prowl this month.
• Transplanting: Plant seedlings into rich soil 30 cm apart in rows 40 cm apart, cabbages can be planted daily deep to aid stability once the plant gets top heavy.
• Care: Provide ample water and protect from pests with row covers.

Kale

• Sowing: Start seeds in module trays to help protect the young seedlings from cabbage white butterflies which will still be on the prowl this month.
• Spacing: Plant seedlings out 30 cm apart in nutrient rich soil and protect with insect mesh if butterflies are still abundant.
• Care: Kale thrives in cooler weather and can tolerate frost. Harvest outer l leaves regularly and enjoy until the flower shoots appear in spring.

Cauliflower

• Sowing: Start seeds in module trays to help protect the young seedlings from cabbage white butterflies which will still be on the prowl this month.
• Transplanting: Plant 40 cm apart into rich soil.
• Care: Maintain consistent moisture and avoid high temperatures. Clipping all the outer leaves together with a clothes peg to cover the emerging head will blanch it and help to keep heads white.

Chard

• Sowing: At this time of year this is best direct sown where you want it to grow.
• Spacing: Thin seedlings to 20 cm apart.
• Care: Chard is cold and heat tolerant making it the perfect year round crop and can be harvested continuously by cutting outer leaves.
• Note: then the plant goes to seed in spring, save the seeds to use for microgreens, another fresh tasty treat to be enjoyed in winter.

Carrots

• Sowing: Direct sow seeds in late summer for an autumn harvest. Use a 50/50 mix of sand and compost, high nutrient levels in the soil will deform the roots. Growing in containers raised 60cm off the ground will eliminate the risk of carrot root fly attack and also make harvesting easier.
• Spacing: Thin seedlings to 4 cm apart.
• Care: Keep soil loose and free of stones. Ensure consistent moisture for even growth.

Beetroot

• Sowing: Best direct sow at this time of year where you want them to grow.
• Spacing: Thin seedlings to 5 cm apart.
• Care: Harvest when roots are around 5-10 cm diameter. 
• Note: Beetroot greens are also edible and delicious.

Lettuce

• Sowing: Can be either direct sown or sown into module trays and planted out later. Lettuce is reluctant to germinate in very hot weather so delay sowing during heat waves. When selecting varieties, opt for more cold tolerant varieties.
• Spacing: Thin seedlings to 15 cm apart, depending on variety.
• Care: Lettuce prefers cool weather and can bolt in heat. Harvest outer leaves or whole heads.

Mustard

• Sowing: Direct sow seeds where you want them to grow.
• Spacing: Thin seedlings to 15 cm apart.
• Care: Mustard greens are fast-growing and can be harvested young when the flavour is milder, or allowed to mature for a more fiery taste.

Sprouting Broccoli

• Sowing: Start seeds in module trays to help protect the young seedlings from cabbage white butterflies which will still be on the prowl this month.
• Transplanting: Space plants 40 cm apart, these plants can get quite tall by spring so make require some support later on.
• Care: Sprouting broccoli produces multiple smaller heads in early spring. Harvest regularly to encourage more growth.

Kohlrabi

• Sowing: Direct sow seeds in late summer using fine netting to protect from bird and insect attack.
• Spacing: Thin seedlings to 10 cm apart.
• Care: Harvest when bulbs are 15 cm in diameter for best texture. Leaves are also edible.

Bunching Onions

• Sowing: Direct sow seeds in early spring.
• Spacing: No need to thin seedlings, these are dividing onions and the clumps will get bigger with time.
• Care: Harvest by slicing with a knife approx 1 cm above the root base to allow the root to regrow. If you pull up the whole onion you miss out on the perennial nature of these plants.

Chinese Cabbage

• Sowing: Start seeds in module trays to plant out later.
• Spacing: Plant seedlings around 20 cm apart into rich soil.
• Care: Chinese cabbage prefers cooler temperatures and can be harvested as whole heads or individual leaves.

Pak Choi

• Sowing: Can be either direct sown or sown into module trays and planted out later. 
• Spacing: Thin seedlings to 20 cm apart.
• Care: Pak choi is fast-growing and can be harvested as baby greens or mature plants. It is also surprisingly cold tolerant taking your harvest well into the colder months

Autumn Light Broad Bean 

• Sowing: Direct sow seeds in Summer for an Autumn harvest.
• Spacing: Plant seeds 15 cm apart in rows 40 cm apart providing support where necessary
• Care: Harvested when pods are plump. 
• Note: Beans are most tender and tasty when the scare (the mark where the bean was attached to the pod) is still pale in colour. Once it turns black the bean is firmer and best dried and used as a storage bean for winter cooking.

Leaf Broccoli

• Sowing: Start seeds in module trays to help protect the young seedlings from cabbage white butterflies which will still be on the prowl this month.
• Spacing: Plant seedlings out 30 cm apart in nutrient rich soil and protect with insect mesh if butterflies are still abundant.
• Care: This rare and unusual brassica similar to kale, thrives in cooler weather and can tolerate frost. Harvest outer leaves regularly and enjoy until the flower shoots appear in spring.

As summer begins to wane and the promise of autumn lingers in the air, August presents a unique opportunity for gardeners to sow a variety of vegetables that will thrive in the cooler months ahead. By planting hardy greens, root vegetables and versatile crops you can ensure a bountiful harvest through the colder months and into the following spring before the new season’s crops take off. These interesting varieties not only maximise your garden’s productivity but also offer fresh, nutritious options for your table as the seasons change. Embracing the rhythm of the gardening calendar, August sowing aligns your efforts with nature’s cycles, guaranteeing that your garden remains vibrant and fruitful. Happy growing!