While many gardens are hitting their peak in August, this month is also a brilliant time to start planning ahead. By sowing new crops to keep the harvests coming well into autumn (and beyond). With a bit of prep, the right compost, and keeping a steady hand on watering, there’s still plenty to sow, grow and enjoy.

Here’s what we’re recommending for your veg patch this August.

What to Sow in August

You’d be surprised how much you can still grow at this time of year. August is ideal for fast-turnaround crops and cold-tolerant varieties that will keep you stocked with fresh leaves and roots well into the colder months.

Here’s what to sow now:

• Loose-leaf Lettuces are great for August sowing, plus you can supplement them a few weeks later with more hardy varieties to last for a later winter harvest
• Spinach, spring onions, chard and spring cabbages. They will thrive in cooling temperatures and are great in any stir-fry!
• Coriander and parsley are ideal herbs to sow now to withstand cooler conditions

All of these will benefit from moist, nutrient-rich soil — which brings us to one of the most important August garden tools.

August Garden Jobs to Stay On Top Of

As we head through August, there are a few simple jobs that can make a real difference to how your veg garden performs — both now and into autumn. It’s a great time to clear out any spent crops to make room for new sowings, while keeping on top of watering is essential, especially during warm spells. Early morning is best for watering, helping the soil retain moisture throughout the day.

Mulching beds with bark or compost helps lock in that moisture and keeps weeds down too. Keep harvesting regularly to encourage more growth, particularly for things like courgettes, beans and salads. If you’ve got brassicas on the go, thin them out if they’re looking crowded, and pop some netting over the top to protect from cabbage whites. It’s also worth feeding container plants and anything that’s still fruiting with a balanced liquid feed. And while you’re at it, why not collect a few seeds from your strongest growers – herbs, lettuce, and beans are great ones to save for next year.