Best Vegetables to Plant in August (UK Climate)
August might feel like peak harvest time, but it’s also packed with sowing opportunities! Whether you’re filling gaps from early crops or want to extend your veg harvest into autumn (and even winter), these are the best vegetables to plant in the UK during August.
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Top Veggies to Sow or Plant in August
1. Lettuce
Choose hardy types—‘Winter Gem’, ‘All Year Round’, ‘Arctic King’. Sow in rows or containers.
2. Spinach
Winter-hardy cultivars like ‘Giant Winter’ or perpetual spinach thrive when sown late summer.
3. Radish
Quick to mature—sow every 1–2 weeks for a continuous supply.
4. Turnips and Fast Beetroot
Select baby or globe varieties—great for autumn picking and fresh eating.
5. Pak Choi & Asian Greens
Cooler nights mean less chance of bolting; sow direct or in modules.
6. Spring Onions
Try ‘White Lisbon Winter Hardy’—sown now for overwintering.
7. Swiss Chard and Perpetual Spinach
Colourful, hardy, and can provide leaves right through winter if protected.
8. Spring Cabbage
Sow in seed beds or modules—transplant as space frees up.
9. Kohlrabi
Sweet, crunchy, and ready in weeks—ideal for late sowings.
10. Chinese Mustard, Mizuna & Rocket
Perfect for spicy, fast salad leaves in autumn.
Sowing & Growing Tips
- Water new sowings well—August can still be dry.
- Start in modules for easier transplanting as spaces open up after other crops.
- Use fleece or mesh to shade seedlings from hot sun and protect against flea beetles.
- Thin seedlings early for strong, healthy plants.
Bonus Crops
- Coriander and Parsley (Herbs):
Less likely to bolt in late summer and thrive into autumn. - Overwintering Onions:
Sets can go in at the end of the month, especially in mild areas.
Quick-Reference Table
| Crop | Sowing Method | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Lettuce | Direct/Modules | Sept–Nov |
| Spinach | Direct | Oct–Spring |
| Radish | Direct | 3–6 weeks |
| Beetroot | Direct | Oct–Nov |
| Pak Choi | Direct/Modules | Oct–Nov |
| Spring Onion | Direct | Spring |
August is the season’s turning point—keep sowing for months of salads, stir-fries, and greens, even as the days get shorter!
Meta Description:
Don’t stop planting! Discover the best vegetables to sow in August in the UK—lettuce, spinach, radish, turnip, herbs, chard, and more for a tasty autumn and winter harvest.### Best Vegetables to Plant in August (UK Climate)
August may be high summer, but it’s not too late to sow and plant for more harvests! In the UK, this is your chance to fill garden gaps, set up autumn pickings, and even start crops that provide food through winter and early spring. Here’s what to plant in August for ongoing abundance:
Top Vegetables for August Sowing
1. Lettuce & Salad Leaves:
Hardy types like ‘Winter Gem’, ‘All Year Round’, or cut-and-come-again mixes will keep you in salads through autumn.
2. Spinach:
Choose winter-hardy varieties like ‘Giant Winter’. Sow direct or in modules now for autumn pickings and cold-weather growth.
3. Radish:
Quick crops—succession sow every couple of weeks for crunchy roots in 4–6 weeks.
4. Swiss Chard & Perpetual Spinach:
Colorful, nutritious, and super-hardy. Sow now for leaves that last into the colder months.
5. Pak Choi, Mizuna, and Rocket:
Cooler nights mean these quick oriental greens won’t bolt—great for salads or stir-fries.
6. Turnips:
Sow for sweet, golf ball-sized roots. ‘Tokyo Cross’ and similar fast types excel.
7. Spring Onions:
Plant hardy types like ‘White Lisbon’ now for robust stalks in early spring.
8. Spring Cabbage:
Sow in modules or a nursery bed now; transplant before winter for early greens next year.
9. Kohlrabi:
Distinctive flavour—ready to pick in as little as 6 weeks from sowing in August.
10. Beetroot (Quick Types):
Baby beets can still mature before the first frosts.
Sowing & Growing Tips
- Water newly sown beds regularly—August can still be dry and hot.
- Shade modules or young seedlings in heatwaves.
- Use mesh/fleece to protect crops from pigeons and flea beetles.
- Plant in succession, every week or two, for a longer supply.
Bonus: Try Herbs and Bulbs
- Coriander, Chervil & Parsley:
These often do better sown now than earlier in summer. - Onion Sets/Bulbs for Overwintering:
Sow at the end of the month for a super-early crop next year.
August’s action lays the foundation for autumn and winter—fill every gap and enjoy a long, delicious finish to the garden year!