What to plant in August in Florida
In Florida (FL), August is the heart of the growing season - about 26 weeks after the last frost (February 12) and 17 weeks before the first (December 10). The state averages 301 frost-free days a year (last frost February 12, first frost December 10; USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a).
8 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including brussels sprouts, rutabaga, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower.
Dates here come from Florida frost dates (last frost Feb 12, first frost Dec 10). For one crop in detail, see when to plant broccoli, cabbage or cauliflower in Florida.
Florida covers a very wide range of climates, so dates near you can be two weeks or more either side of these. Enter your ZIP code in the planting calendar for dates tuned to your town.
Florida: planting activity through the year
For fall and winter harvests (5)
Sowings counted back from Florida'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brussels Sprouts | Start transplants for fall | Aug 10 – Aug 27 | Aug 10 – Aug 27 |
| Rutabaga | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 24 – Sep 10 | Opens Aug 24 |
| Broccoli | Start transplants for fall | Aug 31 – Sep 17 | Opens Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Start transplants for fall | Aug 31 – Sep 17 | Opens Aug 31 |
| Cauliflower | Start transplants for fall | Aug 31 – Sep 17 | Opens Aug 31 |
Keep sowing (succession)
Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.
- Cucumber: sow again on Aug 13
- Zucchini / Summer Squash: sow again on Aug 6
- Basil: sow again on Aug 13
Planting dates for popular crops in Florida
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Florida: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Peak growing season: August garden jobs in Florida
- 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.
- 17 weeks until the average first frost (December 10). Fall crops start now: brussels sprouts, rutabaga, broccoli, cabbage. 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 - picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.
USDA zone chart for Florida
Florida spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a. 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 Florida in August?
8 crops have a window in August: brussels sprouts, rutabaga, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant garlic in Florida in August?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Florida the next garlic window opens around December 21: plant in fall, after first frost.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Florida in August?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Florida the next tomato window opens around December 18: start seeds indoors.
When is the first frost in Florida?
The statewide average first fall frost is around December 10 and the last spring frost around February 12. Florida covers a wide range of climates, so local dates can differ by two weeks or more - look yours up by ZIP code.
What to plant in August in other states
Dates are computed from Florida’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.