The hottest months of the year can be a good time to harvest some vegetables and plant others, so we are going to talk about what to plant in August. Despite how hot it may be, many plants are good for growth and development. However, it must be taken into account that the high temperatures and so much direct sunlight result in more work for the gardeners.
The objective of this article is to explain the special care that orchards and crops require during the hottest time of the year and what to sow in August. In addition, we will also discuss which are the fruits and vegetables that can be transplanted and harvested during this month.
What to sow in August: Gardening in summer
Before we talk about what to plant in August, we must be aware of the tasks that we must carry out during this hot month to maintain our garden. During this time there is a lot of work since it is time to harvest the vegetables that have been sown previously. Generally, at the beginning of the month the atmosphere is usually very suffocating, while in mid-August the famous summer storms can appear that help to cool off a bit.
In summer, the most important thing is to water the vegetables. It is very normal that during the hottest time of the year we use more water in the plants, since with heat and direct sun the earth dries up earlier due to the evaporation of water. For the vegetables to survive, well this month, the soil must always remain a little moist.
As we know that August is for many people the favorite month to go on vacation, we must resort to drip irrigation systems so that our garden does not die during our absence. In the event that we have an urban garden on the terrace, balcony or garden, a good option is hydromassages or hydro-planters.
If we do not have any drip irrigation system installed, the most recommended is water first thing in the morning and / or late in the afternoon. Theirs would be to do it before eight in the morning and / or after eight in the afternoon, which is when the sun is no longer so direct. In this way, the water is better preserved.
Other tasks
As we have mentioned before, the month of August is very hot, which implies that the growth rate of the crop is much faster than usual. Therefore, it is not surprising that the fruits that the vegetables put in ripen faster. It is for this reason that it is best to check the garden every day so that the harvest does not spoil. During this walk, we should also check the plants apart from collecting the fruits. Through a thorough examination of the vegetables, we can detect if they are suffering from any disease or plague and treat them as soon as possible.
Unlike irrigation, weeding cannot be programmed in any way to be able to go quietly on vacation. In this case we can ask for help from family, friends or neighbors to keep the garden in order. If we cannot get a little help from others, we will have a lot of work in the garden when we return to remove everything that has been accumulating.
Another aspect to take into account in summer is the prolonged direct exposure to the sun, which can be very strong, especially during the central hours of the day, which is when it is hotter. This can negatively affect our vegetables. Due to heat stroke, some fruits such as peppers or tomatoes can present a type of round and white spots, while other vegetables such as lettuce tend to glean quickly.
Thinking ahead to September, a good idea is to look at which plants have given us the best fruits. So we can make a collection of seeds from them. So also We have the option of obtaining the seeds of the following vegetables during the month of August:
- Watercress
- Broccoli
- Coles
- Spinach
- Green peas
- Lettuce
- Turnips
- Radishes
- Arugula
- Carrot
What plants can be planted in the month of August?
As expected, to know what to sow in August we must take into account the climate and the environment in which we find ourselves, since it is not the same all over the planet. We generally have the option of planting the following vegetables in exposed seedbeds:
- Onions
- Coles
- Lettuce
In the event that the orchard is outdoor, we have more options to sow:
- Chard
- Watercress
- Borage
- Canons
- Escarola
- Lettuce
- Nabo
- Radishes
If we are in temperate zones, we can opt for sow potatoes too in order to be able to harvest them in October or November.
Transplants and harvests in August
Apart from what to sow in August, we will also discuss transplants and harvests that can be done during this month. As for transplants, these are the vegetables suitable for this:
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Leek
Also the task of ringing becomes important for the following vegetables during the month of August:
- Artichoke stakes
- Strawberry stolons
Regarding the harvest, this is very wide in August. Here are some examples of vegetables that can be harvested during this month:
- Chard
- Basil
- Celery
- Blueberries
- Eggplants
- Watercress
- Sweet potatoes
- Zucchini
- Onions
- Cilantro
- Coles
- Summer cauliflowers
- Escaroles
- Raspberries
- Fennel
- Lettuce
- Corn
- Melons
- Potatoes
- Cucumbers
- Parsley
- Peppers
- Leeks
- Radishes
- Kratom
- Watermelon
- Tomatoes
- Carrots
Now that we know what to plant in August and that we know all the care that a garden requires during the hot summer months, we can get to work. Growing and harvesting our own fruits and vegetables is not only very healthy for us, but also very satisfying. I hope I have helped you with this article and that you enjoy your garden, be it small or large. And, above all, let your crops take advantage of you!