August might feel like the height of summer, but there’s still plenty to sow and grow in your garden. In fact, it’s a key month for setting yourself up with fresh harvests in autumn, winter – and even Christmas!
Whether you’ve got a vegetable patch, a few pots on the patio, or dreams of colourful borders come spring, there’s something you can plant right now to keep your garden thriving.
Here’s what to sow and grow in August 👇
🥔 Plant Now for Christmas Potatoes
Yes, you can grow your own new potatoes for Christmas dinner! Look out for second cropping seed potatoes like Maris Peer or Charlotte. Pop them into containers or potato grow bags using fresh compost, and place somewhere frost-free like a greenhouse, polytunnel, or sheltered patio. Protect them with fleece as the weather cools.
With a bit of luck (and a little watering), you’ll be harvesting homegrown spuds in time for your roast!
🥬 Veggies to Sow in August
There’s still time to get plenty of tasty crops in the ground. Try these now for fresh food in autumn and beyond:
- Lettuce – Choose cut-and-come-again varieties for a steady supply of leaves.
- Radish – Super speedy and perfect for late summer salads.
- Pak choi – Quick to mature and great in stir-fries.
- Spinach – Thrives in cooler conditions.
- Spring onions – Sow now and they’ll overwinter for early harvests.
- Turnips – Fast-growing and full of flavour.
- Kale – A hardy green that will keep producing through the colder months.
- Mustard greens, mizuna and oriental leaves – Add a peppery kick to autumn salads.
🌿 Herbs to Sow Now
It’s not too late to sow herbs – in fact, some prefer the cooler days of late summer:
- Coriander – Less likely to bolt as the days shorten.
- Parsley – Takes a while to germinate, so start now for strong autumn growth.
- Chervil – A lesser-known gem that thrives in cooler weather.
Sow directly or in pots on the windowsill for easy access come winter.
🌸 Flowers to Sow Now for Spring Colour
Get ahead for next year’s flower beds by sowing hardy annuals now. Sown in August, they’ll establish over winter and burst into bloom earlier next spring:
- Cornflowers
- Calendula
- Larkspur
- Nigella (Love-in-a-Mist)
Sow them direct where they’ll flower, and let nature do the rest.
🧄 Looking Ahead: Order Your Autumn Planting Essentials
August is also the time to get your orders in for autumn planting favourites, including:
- Garlic
- Onion sets
- Shallots
These are typically planted in October/November and will reward you with big harvests next summer.
đź“Ť Find Everything You Need at Kings
Whether you’re sowing for late-season salads, dreaming of roast potatoes at Christmas, or planning a spring flower bed to stop traffic, we’ve got everything you need in store.
đź“Ť Visit our garden centres in Exmouth or Sidmouth to browse seed packets, seed potatoes, compost, tools and advice from our friendly team.
Happy sowing – your garden’s not done yet! 🌿