What to Plant in August: Quick-Growing Veg and Flowers for Autumn Colour
Introduction
Think it’s too late to sow? Not at all! August is a great time to plant quick-growing veg and hardy flowers for late harvests and autumn colour.
Quick-Growing Veg to Sow Now
- Salad Leaves: Rocket, lettuce, mizuna.
- Radish: Ready in just a few weeks.
- Spinach: Sow now for autumn and spring crops.
- Spring Onions: Hardy varieties do well.
- Turnip & Beetroot: Choose fast-maturing types.
- Pak Choi: Great for stir fries.
- Winter Lettuce: For autumn and overwintering.
Flowers for Late Summer and Autumn Colour
- Hardy Annuals: Cornflower, calendula, nigella.
- Wallflowers: Sow now for spring blooms.
- Pansies & Violas: For autumn and winter pots.
Tips for Success
- Prepare soil with compost and keep it moist.
- Sow little and often for continuous harvests.
- Protect young plants from slugs and late heatwaves.
- Use fleece if early frosts threaten.
Companion Planting Ideas
- Pair salad leaves with spring onions to deter pests.
- Grow calendula near veg beds to attract pollinators.
Planning for Spring
- Sow garlic and broad beans now for an early crop next year.
Conclusion & Call to Action
August is bursting with possibilities—get sowing and enjoy a colourful, productive garden into autumn!