August in Zone 7
August in Zone 7: second season planting begins. Set out fall brassica transplants; direct sow fall greens.
Jump to another month
- Min Winter Temp
- 0 to 10 °F / -18 to -12 °C
- Last Spring Frost
- Late March – mid April
- First Fall Frost
- Mid October – mid November
- Growing Season
- 200–225 days
- Annual Rainfall
- 30–60 in
August overview
August transitions from peak summer to late summer. Heat continues but days are shortening noticeably. Fall crop planting is urgent in cold zones, and warm-zone gardeners begin planning for fall gardens. Preserving harvests becomes a priority.
Peak tomato and pepper harvest; urgent fall planting in cold zones; canning and preserving; transplanting fall brassicas; planting spring bulbs ordered early.
- Season
- summer
- Temperature trend
- Still hot but temperatures begin easing late in the month in northern zones.
- Daylight
- Noticeably shortening days; losing 2+ minutes of daylight daily.
- Zone 7 last frost
- Late March – mid April
- Zone 7 first frost
- Mid October – mid November
0
Sow indoors
4
Sow outdoors
4
Transplant
3
Harvest
0
Maintenance
🌿 Sow outdoors
Direct sow fall lettuce, spinach, and radishes (mid-August)
Lettuce
Surface-sow or ⅛ inch deep; thin to 8 inches for heads, 4 inches for cut-and-come-again.
Spinach
Sow ½ inch deep, 2 inches apart; germinates best at 50–65°F; thin to 6 inches.
Radishes
Sow ½ inch deep, 1 inch apart; thin to 2 inches; ready in 25–30 days.
Arugula
Surface-sow in wide bands; thins itself as it grows; bolt-prone in heat — shade if needed.
🪴 Transplant
Transplant fall broccoli, cabbage, and kale
Broccoli
Sow ¼ inch deep; transplant at 4–6 weeks when 4–5 inches tall; space 18 inches apart.
Cabbage
Sow ¼ inch deep; harden off well before transplanting; space 12–18 inches apart.
Kale
Sow ¼ inch deep directly or in trays; very cold-hardy; direct sow works well in cool soil.
Kohlrabi
Sow ¼ inch deep; harvest when 2–3 inches in diameter for best texture.
📌 Aim for harvest before first frost.
🧺 Harvest
Harvest and preserve summer crops
Tomatoes
Sow ¼ inch deep in 72-cell trays; keep at 70–75°F until germination in 7–10 days.
Peppers
Sow ⅛ inch deep at 80°F; slow to germinate (14–21 days); keep consistently warm.
Cucumbers
Sow 2 seeds per cell ½ inch deep; thin to one seedling; transplant carefully to avoid root disturbance.
General August tasks
These apply broadly regardless of zone — a useful checklist alongside the zone-specific tasks above.
- ✓Direct sow fall spinach, arugula, and lettuce in cold and temperate zones
- ✓Transplant fall broccoli, kale, and chard starts
- ✓Plant fall-bearing strawberries
- ✓Order spring bulbs for fall planting
- ✓Harvest and preserve: tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans
- ✓Sow cover crops in empty beds to suppress weeds and build soil
- ✓Reduce fertilizing on perennials to encourage hardening-off before winter
- ✓Deadhead spent flowers to extend bloom or let seed heads form for birds
⚠ Watch-outs for August
- ⚠Late August is the last chance to plant fall crops in cold zones (Zones 3–5) — time is short
- ⚠Tomato late blight can spread rapidly in cool, wet August conditions — inspect daily
- ⚠End-of-season exhaustion in squash and cucumber plants — pull when productivity drops
- ⚠Fall armyworms arrive in the South in August — inspect grass and leafy crops
August in Zone 7: common questions
What can I plant in August in Zone 7?＋
In August, Zone 7 gardeners can sow or transplant Lettuce, Spinach, Radishes, Arugula, Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, and Kohlrabi. August in Zone 7: second season planting begins. Set out fall brassica transplants; direct sow fall greens.
When is the last and first frost in Zone 7?＋
Zone 7 typically has its last spring frost around Late March – mid April and its first fall frost around Mid October – mid November, giving a growing season of roughly 200–225 days. Always check a local frost-date source, since microclimates vary.
What's ready to harvest in August in Zone 7?＋
In August, Zone 7 gardeners are typically harvesting Tomatoes, Peppers, and Cucumbers. Pick regularly — frequent harvesting keeps most crops producing longer.