What to plant in August: zone 7a
A rule-of-thumb starting point for zone 7a: last spring frost around April 15, first fall frost around October 25. Zones are set by winter lows, not frost dates, so two gardens in the same zone can be weeks apart. Measure your ZIP below for dates from your area's own 30-year record.
Direct sow for fall
- Beet2 sowings: Aug 3 and Aug 31
Fall beet window opens. Sowing now beats the last-minute date by a month of growth. Sowing again a few weeks later keeps the harvest coming instead of arriving all at once.
- Dill2 sowings: Aug 3 and Aug 31
Fall dill window opens. Sowing now beats the last-minute date by a month of growth. Sowing again a few weeks later keeps the harvest coming instead of arriving all at once.
- Spinacharound Aug 15
Succession sowing 3 of 3. Sow every 21 days for a steady cut.
- Lettucearound Aug 15
Succession sowing 2 of 3. Sow every 21 days for a steady cut.
- Parsleyaround Aug 16
Counts back 70 days from your first frost. Takes a light frost with cover.
- Cilantroaround Aug 20
Succession sowing 2 of 3. Sow every 21 days for a steady cut.
- Bush beanaround Aug 21
Counts back 55 days from your first frost. Frost-tender: must finish before frost.
- Peaaround Aug 26
Counts back 60 days from your first frost. Takes a light frost with cover.
- Carrotaround Aug 27
Counts back 70 days from your first frost. Frost-hardy: light freezes sweeten it.
Start indoors for fall
- Kalearound Aug 14
Seedlings need 4 weeks before they go out for a fall harvest.
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