What to plant in August in Arkansas
In Arkansas (AR), August is the heart of the growing season - about 19 weeks after the last frost (April 3) and 11 weeks before the first (November 1). The state averages 212 frost-free days a year (last frost April 3, first frost November 1; USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a).
31 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including rutabaga, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, fennel (bulb) - and 7 of those windows close during August.
Dates here come from Arkansas frost dates (last frost Apr 3, first frost Nov 1). For one crop in detail, see when to plant broccoli, cabbage or cauliflower in Arkansas.
Arkansas: planting activity through the year
Last chance in August
Rutabaga (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 2) · Broccoli (start transplants for fall, by Aug 9) · Cabbage (start transplants for fall, by Aug 9) · Cauliflower (start transplants for fall, by Aug 9) · Cucumber (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 16) · Fennel (Bulb) (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 16) · Zucchini / Summer Squash (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 16)
For fall and winter harvests (29)
Sowings counted back from Arkansas's first fall frost, so the crop matures before the cold - or, for garlic and similar, planted after it.
| Crop | What to do | Window | This month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rutabaga | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 16 – Aug 2 | Last chance - ends Aug 2 |
| Broccoli | Start transplants for fall | Jul 23 – Aug 9 | Last chance - ends Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Start transplants for fall | Jul 23 – Aug 9 | Last chance - ends Aug 9 |
| Cauliflower | Start transplants for fall | Jul 23 – Aug 9 | Last chance - ends Aug 9 |
| Cucumber | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 30 – Aug 16 | Last chance - ends Aug 16 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 30 – Aug 16 | Last chance - ends Aug 16 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 30 – Aug 16 | Last chance - ends Aug 16 |
| Bush Bean | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 6 – Aug 23 | Aug 6 – Aug 23 |
| Carrot | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 6 – Aug 23 | Aug 6 – Aug 23 |
| Kale | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 6 – Aug 23 | Aug 6 – Aug 23 |
| Radicchio | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 6 – Aug 23 | Aug 6 – Aug 23 |
| Collard Greens | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 13 – Aug 30 | Aug 13 – Aug 30 |
| Endive & Escarole | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 13 – Aug 30 | Aug 13 – Aug 30 |
| Napa Cabbage | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 13 – Aug 30 | Aug 13 – Aug 30 |
| Parsley | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 13 – Aug 30 | Aug 13 – Aug 30 |
| Pea | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 13 – Aug 30 | Aug 13 – Aug 30 |
| Swiss Chard | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 13 – Aug 30 | Aug 13 – Aug 30 |
| Beet | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 20 – Sep 6 | Opens Aug 20 |
| Cilantro / Coriander | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 20 – Sep 6 | Opens Aug 20 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 27 – Sep 13 | Opens Aug 27 |
| Borage | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 27 – Sep 13 | Opens Aug 27 |
| Dill | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 27 – Sep 13 | Opens Aug 27 |
| Fava Bean (Broad Bean) | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 27 – Sep 13 | Opens Aug 27 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 27 – Sep 13 | Opens Aug 27 |
| Kohlrabi | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 27 – Sep 13 | Opens Aug 27 |
| Lettuce | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 27 – Sep 13 | Opens Aug 27 |
| Mache (Corn Salad) | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 27 – Sep 13 | Opens Aug 27 |
| Mizuna | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 27 – Sep 13 | Opens Aug 27 |
| Rapini (Broccoli Raab) | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 27 – Sep 13 | Opens Aug 27 |
Keep sowing (succession)
Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.
- Cucumber: sow again on Aug 21
- Zucchini / Summer Squash: sow again on Aug 28
- Basil: sow again on Aug 21
- Southern Pea (Cowpea): sow again on Aug 7
Harvesting in August
First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.
Planting dates for popular crops in Arkansas
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Arkansas: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Peak growing season: August garden jobs in Arkansas
- Water deeply two or three times a week rather than a little every day - about an inch a week, more in heat. See watering a vegetable garden.
- 11 weeks until the average first frost (November 1). Fall crops start now: rutabaga, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower. See the fall and winter garden guide.
- Check the undersides of leaves twice a week - catching pests early is most of the battle (pest identification guide).
- Harvest often: leek, parsnip, salsify, pumpkin should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.
USDA zone chart for Arkansas
Arkansas spans USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.
Questions gardeners ask
What vegetables can I plant in Arkansas in August?
31 crops have a window in August: rutabaga, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, fennel (bulb), zucchini / summer squash, bush bean, carrot, kale and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant garlic in Arkansas in August?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Arkansas the next garlic window opens around November 12: plant in fall, after first frost.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Arkansas in August?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Arkansas have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 6.
When is the first frost in Arkansas?
The statewide average first fall frost is around November 1 and the last spring frost around April 3. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in Arkansas in August?
From plantings made on time: leek, parsnip, salsify, pumpkin, rosemary, celery, celeriac, luffa (loofah gourd), peanut, sweet potato.
What to plant in August in other states
Dates are computed from Arkansas’s statewide average frost dates (from NOAA/NCEI climate normals) and each crop’s timing in our crop database. Your garden may be a week or two either side - for dates tuned to your ZIP code, use the planting calendar.