August often gets dismissed as a month for garden maintenance rather than creation, with many gardeners assuming the growing season is winding down and focusing solely on watering, deadheading, and harvesting existing crops. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Whilst others are taking their gardening foot off the pedal, I’m ramping up propagation activities here at Garden Ninja HQ because I know August is actually one of the most productive months for establishing plants that will deliver spectacular results next year.
The combination of warm soil, reduced day length, and approaching autumn rains creates perfect conditions for germination and establishment that savvy gardeners capitalise upon, while their neighbours miss out entirely. So come join me as I show you what you can start growing in August, whether for this year’s harvests or to reap your rewards next year!
This page contains affiliate links (see full details here). If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Most gardeners in August have a well-deserved break. However, some gardeners, particularly beginners, think that this is the end of the growing year, but I’m here to advise you that this is not the case Ninjas.
Late summer presents unique opportunities that many gardeners overlook:
Professional gardeners and designers understand that August plantings often outperform their spring counterparts. The reduced competition from weeds, combined with ideal growing conditions, creates a window of opportunity that the most successful gardens capitalise upon. So what are you waiting for, Ninjas?
August is prime time for sowing hardy annuals that will provide breathtaking spring colour. Annuals grow and flower within a year, then die off. They can create great pops of colour in a garden! These reliable performers form the backbone of cutting gardens and cottage-style borders, delivering maximum impact for minimal investment.
These are fabulous plants that can be directly sown outside in flower beds ready for next year, though do make sure you label them so you don’t weed them out come spring. Alternatively, you can sow these seeds in containers in a cold frame or greenhouse if you prefer.
Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus) deserve pride of place in any August sowing programme. These climbing beauties, when sown now, develop extensive root systems over winter and burst into fragrant flower from early spring. Choose varieties like ‘Cupani’ for heritage appeal or ‘Winston Churchill’ for robust stems perfect for cutting.
Cornflowers (Centaurea cyanus) sown in August create sturdy plants that tower over their spring-sown relatives. The extended growing period produces stronger stems and more abundant flowers. ‘Blue Boy’ remains the classic choice, whilst ‘Black Gem’ offers sophisticated dark burgundy blooms that garden designers adore. These flowers always remind me of the true British cottage garden and are a great plant for beginners, as they are so easy to grow and they self-seed everywhere. Basically, free plants forever!
Larkspur (Consolida ajacis) becomes a towering spectacle when autumn sown. These architectural annuals reach impressive heights and self-seed freely, creating naturalistic drifts that look effortlessly wild yet perfectly planned. These add much-needed height to your flower beds, which new gardeners often forget. If everything is the same height in flower beds, they can look lacklustre and a bit of a one-hit wonder, hence the need to layer plants.
For gardeners with protected growing space, August opens up additional possibilities, as you can start off seeds that need protection as the colder autumn months start. Greenhouses and cold frames extend the growing season, so if you have the space, it’s a wise move to set one up. It enables you to sow seeds earlier and later in the season, and it also gives you a place to dodge the rain in the garden.
Stocks (Matthiola incana) sown now and overwintered in cold frames produce earlier, more substantial flower spikes. The perfume from these beauties on warm spring evenings is simply unmatched. They remind me of the old granny’s garden styling, which I love. They will make your neighbours green with envy!
Annual Poppies, including Shirley varieties, can be started in modules for planting out in early autumn. This technique produces more controlled displays whilst avoiding the unpredictability of direct sowing. Seedbombs are a great way to sow these, especially with children! Again once you have poppies they will self-seed each year and you’ll never need to resow them.
Calendula (Pot Marigold) thrives from August sowings, producing robust plants that flower continuously from autumn through to spring. ‘Art Shades’ offers sophisticated apricot and cream tones, whilst ‘Indian Prince’ provides deep orange blooms with dark centres that create stunning focal points. You can also eat the leaves of this bright orange annual, which help deter pests such as aphids. They can be used as sacrificial lambs in your raised allotment beds, so pests like slugs eat them first.
Nigella (Love-in-a-Mist) sown now develops into substantial plants that self-seed prolifically. ‘Miss Jekyll’ remains the classic blue choice, whilst ‘Persian Jewels’ provides a rainbow mix that naturalises beautifully in cottage garden settings. These plants make amazing cut flowers for bouquets and vases too!
Clarkia produces elegant flower spikes when autumn-sown, reaching impressive heights that dwarf spring sowings. These understated beauties prefer cooler conditions and often struggle in hot summer weather, making August the perfect timing for establishment.
Sometimes it is referred to as Godetia clarkia, which creates spectacular displays when sown in August. These satiny-flowered annuals produce masses of blooms in spring, and autumn sowings develop stronger root systems that support more abundant flowering.
Established perennials form the architectural bones of successful garden design along with suitable garden shrubs. Herbaceous perennials in particular can help bring succession planting to your garden, making it look better for longer and providing much-needed pollen and nectar, which annual plants often struggle to provide abundantly, for bees and wildlife.
August presents the ideal window for establishing these repeat-flowering gardening troopers, allowing them to settle before winter and emerge strongly the following season. You then get the jump on growing next year, and every garden should have at least 50% of its plants as herbaceous perennials!
Iris division becomes a priority task this month. These rhizomatous perennials benefit from regular division every three to four years. August timing allows new divisions to establish themselves before dormancy. Lift entire clumps, divide with a sharp knife, and replant with the rhizome surface level with the soil.
Daylilies (Hemerocallis) respond brilliantly to August division, which lets you create more plants for free with just half an hour’s work. These reliable perennials multiply rapidly, and division not only increases your stock but rejuvenates flowering performance. Each division should contain both roots and growing points for successful establishment.
Astilbe clumps that have become congested benefit from division now. These shade garden champions appreciate the cooler conditions that autumn brings and establish quickly when divided during their active growth phase. Children love them as their colouration is super bright and gives a sweet shop feel even to the shadiest of spots, but don’t let them dry out!
Container-grown perennials planted in August have distinct advantages over spring plantings, as their root system gets a kick-start. The key to remember when sowing perennials is that the germination window is longer and slower than that of annuals. However, I would urge all of you to try your hand at growing perennial plants from seed. It’s the best way to really get to know your garden plant species and become a better gardener! Let’s have a look at what you can sow under some protection now, ready for next year.
Echinacea (Purple Coneflowers) establish magnificent root systems when planted now, resulting in earlier flowering and increased drought tolerance. Echinacea can take up to six weeks to germinate, so please be patient; however, it is well worth the wait. Alba is the white specimen that is the most hardy alongside purple coneflowers.
Rudbeckia varieties, including ‘Goldsturm’ and ‘Cherokee Sunset’, create stunning autumn displays when planted this month. These North American natives thrive in August conditions and often continue flowering well into October. These are one of my favourite all-time plant species!
Asters deserve special mention for August planting. These late-season stars provide crucial nectar sources for pollinators when little else is flowering. Symphyotrichum novae-angliae varieties create spectacular autumn focal points that wildlife absolutely adores. These flowers emerge late august and fill the gap before autumn shrubs start to steal the show!
Aquilegia or Granny’s Bonnets (Columbine) seeds sown fresh in August germinate far more successfully than stored seed. These cottage garden favourites self-seed freely once established, creating naturalistic colonies that look effortlessly planned. ‘McKana Giants’ produces large flowers in mixed colours, whilst ‘Nora Barlow’ offers unique double flowers with ruffled petals.
Delphinium seeds require the cold stratification that winter provides, where seedlings need a dramatic drop in temperature before they can germinate, making August sowing ideal as the winter cold snap provides that. These architectural perennials take two years to reach full flowering potential, but August-sown plants often produce small flower spikes in their second summer. Pacific Giant strains create towering spires that dominate herbaceous borders.
Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) establish magnificent taproots when sown in August. These cottage garden classics are technically biennials but often persist for several years when well-established. Chater’s Double’ produces perfect rosette flowers, whilst single varieties like ‘Single Mixed’ attract beneficial insects more effectively.
Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) sown now create substantial rosettes that produce towering flower spikes the following summer. These woodland natives thrive in partial shade and self-seed freely in suitable conditions. Excelsior’ hybrids offer flowers around the entire stem, whilst ‘Camelot’ provides compact plants perfect for smaller gardens.
Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) develops strong root systems from August sowings that support exceptional flowering performance. These fragrant biennials provide cottage garden charm and excellent cutting material. ‘Auricula Eyed’ offers intricate colour patterns, whilst ‘Sooty’ provides almost black flowers that garden designers adore.
August vegetable sowing focuses on crops that thrive in cooler conditions and provide fresh harvests when shop-bought alternatives are at their most expensive. Strategic succession planting and sowing ensures continuous harvests well into winter, which can help extend the seasons in your allotment or kitchen garden. Don’t listen to anyone who says that you can’t grow edibles from autumn into winter, you can Ninjas.
The brassica family dominates August sowing schedules for good reason. These cool-season crops establish beautifully in late summer conditions and provide essential fresh greens throughout the darker months.
Winter Cabbage varieties sown now mature perfectly for Christmas harvests. ‘January King’ develops stunning purple-tinged leaves that are not only delicious but provide ornamental value in winter vegetable plots. ‘Tundra’ offers exceptional cold tolerance and stores well after harvest.
Brussels Sprouts require a long growing season, making August sowings crucial for Christmas dinner preparations. Modern F1 varieties like ‘Revenge’ produce uniform, tight sprouts that mature in succession rather than all at once.
Kale varieties sown in August develop into substantial plants that harvest continuously throughout winter. ‘Nero di Toscana’ (Cavolo Nero) provides architectural structure whilst ‘Redbor’ adds burgundy foliage interest to ornamental vegetable gardens.
Quick crops are vegetables that can be grown from seed and harvested in as little as 6-8 weeks. which is why they are known as ‘catch crops’.
Radishes sown in August benefit from cooler conditions that prevent the peppery heat development common in summer sowings. ‘Cherry Belle’ and ‘French Breakfast’ varieties mature rapidly and can be succession sown every two weeks for continuous harvests.
Rocket (Arugula) absolutely thrives in August conditions. This peppery salad green actually prefers cooler weather, and August sowings often outperform spring plantings. Wild rocket varieties self-seed freely, creating self-sustaining salad patches.
Spinach varieties like ‘Medania’ and ‘Space’ germinate reliably in August soil temperatures. These sowings bridge the gap between summer and winter crops, providing fresh leaves when lettuce begins to struggle.
Pak Choi and other Asian greens excel when sown in August. These fast-growing vegetables appreciate the moderating temperatures and reduced day length. ‘Green Fortune’ produces succulent stems whilst ‘Purple Top’ adds ornamental appeal.
Chinese Cabbage varieties, including ‘Wong Bok’, form tight heads when sown now for autumn harvest. These vegetables require consistent moisture but reward careful cultivation with exceptional flavour and texture.
Parsley sown in August establishes beautifully before winter and provides fresh leaves throughout the cold months. Flat-leaf varieties like ‘Giant of Italy’ offer superior flavour for cooking, whilst curly types like ‘Champion Moss Curled’ provide attractive garnish and container appeal.
Coriander thrives in August conditions, with the moderating temperatures preventing the rapid bolting common in hot weather. ‘Leisure’ offers slow-bolting characteristics, while ‘Confetti’ provides finely cut leaves that are perfect for garnishing.
Chervil establishes perfectly from August sowings, creating delicate ferny foliage that adds sophistication to winter salads. This gourmet herb struggles in hot weather but thrives in the cooling conditions of late summer and autumn.
Winter Savory sown now develops into compact perennial bushes that provide aromatic leaves throughout winter. This Mediterranean herb offers pine-like flavours that complement bean dishes perfectly and attracts beneficial insects with its late summer flowers.
Mizuna and Mibuna excel from August sowings, providing tender leaves for salads and stir-fries throughout autumn and winter. These Japanese mustards offer mild flavours that become more pronounced in cold weather, creating versatile harvesting options.
Land Cress provides watercress-like flavour without requiring running water. August sowings establish quickly and provide harvests throughout winter. This hardy annual thrives in partial shade and offers excellent nutritional value.
Corn Salad (Lamb’s Lettuce) creates rosettes of tender leaves perfect for winter salads. ‘Vit’ offers large leaves and excellent cold tolerance, whilst ‘Trophy’ provides compact rosettes ideal for container growing.
August represents the optimal window for establishing new fruit plantings. Container-grown fruit trees and soft fruit bushes planted now develop extensive root systems before dormancy, resulting in earlier cropping and improved long-term performance.
Apple Trees planted in August have significant advantages over those planted as bare-root winter stock. Container-grown specimens establish quickly in warm soil, and August planting allows root development throughout autumn. Choose disease-resistant varieties like ‘Discovery’ for early cropping or ‘Egremont Russet’ for exceptional flavour.
Plum Trees benefit enormously from August planting. These stone fruits can be temperamental when moved during dormancy, but container-grown trees planted now settle beautifully. ‘Victoria’ remains the reliable choice for British gardens, whilst ‘Opal’ offers exceptional disease resistance. My absolute favourite weird and wonderful plum tree is the ‘Mirabelle’ plum, small, sweet, yellow and delicious.
Strawberry planting in August ensures vigorous plants that crop heavily the following summer. August-planted strawberries develop substantial crown systems and often produce a few berries in their first autumn. ‘Cambridge Favourite’ provides reliability whilst ‘Mara des Bois’ offers exceptional flavour.
Raspberry Canes planted now establish vigorous root systems that support heavy cropping. Autumn-fruiting varieties like ‘All Gold’ and ‘Heritage’ can even provide a small crop in their first autumn when planted early in August.
Blackcurrant Bushes respond magnificently to August planting. These vitamin C powerhouses develop extensive root systems when planted in warm soil. ‘Ben Hope’ offers disease resistance whilst ‘Big Ben’ produces exceptional fruit size.
August plantings succeed or fail based on soil preparation quality. Late summer soil often requires some improvements after the demands of the growing season, as plants have consumed most of the nutrients.
August soil can be deceptively dry beneath the surface. Deep watering before planting ensures that adequate moisture reserves are available for root establishment of your precious plants. Consider installing simple irrigation systems for newly planted areas, particularly important for tree and shrub plantings.
Mulching becomes crucial for August plantings. Organic mulches conserve moisture whilst suppressing weeds that compete with establishing plants. Composted bark, leaf mould, or well-rotted manure all provide excellent results.
August plantings benefit from modest soil improvement rather than heavy feeding. Fresh compost or well-rotted manure incorporated into planting areas provides slow-release nutrition perfect for establishment.
Heavy clay soils may require drainage improvement before August planting. Adding horticultural grit or coarse sand improves structure, whilst organic matter enhances water retention in sandy soils.
British gardening success requires understanding regional variations that significantly impact August planting success. Coastal gardens face different challenges than inland locations, whilst northern gardens operate on different timescales than southern counterparts. It’s worthwhile considering where you live or garden and adjusting your growing practices accordingly. For example, up north, your winters come a bit quicker than down south, and the springs a bit later, too.
Scottish and northern English gardens benefit from slightly earlier sowings in August to maximise establishment time before harsh winter conditions. Hardy varieties become particularly important, and protection strategies like fleece or cold frames often prove essential.
Southern gardens can extend August sowing later into the month, whilst coastal locations must consider salt tolerance when selecting varieties. Wind protection becomes particularly important for new plantings in exposed coastal situations.
Even experienced gardeners can fall into August planting traps, resulting in more frustration than smiles. Moreover, trying to do too much is the undoing of any gardener, so less is more. Understanding these common pitfalls prevents disappointment and ensures maximum results from your efforts.
August’s perfect conditions can lead to overenthusiastic planting programmes that become overwhelming. Start with manageable areas and expand success gradually rather than attempting a comprehensive garden transformation in one season. There is nothing worse than feeling like you can’t keep up with the demands on your garden!
August plantings require consistent moisture during establishment, but many gardeners underestimate the commitment required. Establish realistic watering routines before planting rather than hoping for convenient rainfall. This is especially true if you’re going on holiday, always prepare to fit drip irrigation or ask a reliable friend or neighbour to come water the necessary plants or your greenhouse.
Not all varieties perform equally from August sowings. Research variety-specific recommendations rather than assuming all cultivars within a species perform similarly. Seed packet information often provides crucial timing guidance.
August plantings create momentum that carries gardens successfully through autumn and into spring. The satisfaction of harvesting home-grown Brussels sprouts on Christmas morning or cutting armfuls of sweet peas in April makes August efforts worthwhile.
Consider August as the foundation month for next year’s garden success. Plants established now often outperform their spring-planted counterparts, creating the backbone of truly spectacular seasonal displays.
Plan succession sowings throughout August to extend harvest periods and maintain continuous interest. Many crops benefit from staggered sowings that provide harvests over extended periods rather than overwhelming gluts.
Transform this guidance into garden success with a systematic approach that ensures nothing important is overlooked. I love to always start from the ground up with my soil Ninjas. Successful gardeners work methodically through their seasonal priorities rather than attempting to do everything simultaneously.
Ready to elevate your gardening expertise beyond August sowings? Garden Ninja’s comprehensive online courses can accelerate your journey from enthusiastic beginner to confident garden creator in just weeks rather than years. With courses starting from just £29, you can access award-winning garden design knowledge from BBC Garden Rescue presenter Lee Burkhill without the expense of traditional garden design education.
Why Garden Ninja courses deliver rapid results:
Garden Design Examples for Small Gardens: 30 Design Templates & Planting Plans: In this online gardening course, I’ll walk you through 30 fantastic garden designs, explaining the logic behind the layout, the plant choices, and take-home tips for applying them in your own garden.
Learn how to transform and design your own garden with Lee Burkhills crash course in garden design. Over 5 hours Lee will teach you how to design your own dream garden. Featuring practical design examples, planting ideas and video guides. Learn how to design your garden in one weekend!
Garden Design for Beginners Online Course: If you want to make the career jump to becoming a garden designer or to learn how to design your own garden, this is the beginner course for you. Join me, Lee Burkhill, an award-winning garden designer, as I train you in the art of beautiful garden design.
Choose your perfect course:
Garden Design Examples for Small Gardens: 30 Design Templates & Planting Plans (£29) – Master space-maximising designs with ready-to-implement planting schemes perfect for compact gardens.
Weekend Garden Makeover: A Crash Course in Design for Beginners (£69) – Transform your outdoor space with five hours of intensive design training that delivers immediate results.
Garden Design for Beginners: Create Your Dream Garden in Just 4 Weeks (£199) – The comprehensive foundation course that takes you from complete novice to confident garden designer with professional-level skills.
Whether you’re planning your August plantings or dreaming of complete garden transformation, these courses provide the expertise and confidence to create stunning outdoor spaces that reflect your personal vision whilst maximising every planting opportunity throughout the year.
For comprehensive guidance on seed sowing techniques and successful potting-on methods, Lee Burkhill’s detailed growing guides on www.gardenninja.co.uk provide invaluable step-by-step instructions that transform seed packets into thriving plants. These expert resources cover everything from germination troubleshooting to transplanting timing that ensures maximum success rates.
How to Sow Seeds – Beginners Guide – The complete foundation guide covering everything from seed selection to germination timing, perfect for building confidence with August sowings.
Seed Germination for Beginners – Understanding the science behind germination ensures higher success rates with your August plantings, covering troubleshooting tips for different seed types.
How to Pot On & Prick Out Seedlings – Essential techniques for transplanting your August-sown seedlings as they develop, ensuring strong, healthy plants for garden establishment.
Plastic Free Gardening: Growing Plants Without Plastic – Sustainable growing methods using biodegradable pots and eco-friendly techniques perfect for environmentally conscious August gardening.
How to Create a Wildflower Meadow – Growing perennial wildflowers from seed, many of which benefit from August sowing for establishment before winter.
August gardening can reward careful planning with brilliant results that provide satisfaction for the next gardening year. Although often overlooked, I love the fact that August allows you to get the jump on next year’s planting and also continue enjoying being outside when the weather is still nice!
Whether you’re sowing sweet peas for next spring’s cutting garden or planting fruit trees for future harvests, this month’s efforts create the foundation for gardening success. After all, who doesn’t want a garden thats brimming with beautiful flowers or produce next year?
Happy Gardening!
JOIN THE NINJAS
Be the first in line for new Guides, Discount codes and Offers
