What to plant in August in Indiana
In Indiana (IN), August is the heart of the growing season - about 16 weeks after the last frost (April 24) and 8 weeks before the first (October 11). The state averages 170 frost-free days a year (last frost April 24, first frost October 11; USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b).
32 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including bush bean, carrot, kale, radicchio, collard greens, endive & escarole - and 12 of those windows close during August.
Dates here come from Indiana frost dates (last frost Apr 24, first frost Oct 11). For one crop in detail, see when to plant bush bean, carrot or kale in Indiana.
Indiana: planting activity through the year
Last chance in August
Bush Bean (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 2) · Carrot (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 2) · Kale (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 2) · Radicchio (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 2) · Collard Greens (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 9) · Endive & Escarole (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 9) · Napa Cabbage (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 9) · Parsley (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 9) · Pea (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 9) · Swiss Chard (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 9) · Beet (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 16) · Cilantro / Coriander (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 16)
For fall and winter harvests (30)
Sowings counted back from Indiana'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bush Bean | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 16 – Aug 2 | Last chance - ends Aug 2 |
| Carrot | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 16 – Aug 2 | Last chance - ends Aug 2 |
| Kale | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 16 – Aug 2 | Last chance - ends Aug 2 |
| Radicchio | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 16 – Aug 2 | Last chance - ends Aug 2 |
| Collard Greens | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 23 – Aug 9 | Last chance - ends Aug 9 |
| Endive & Escarole | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 23 – Aug 9 | Last chance - ends Aug 9 |
| Napa Cabbage | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 23 – Aug 9 | Last chance - ends Aug 9 |
| Parsley | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 23 – Aug 9 | Last chance - ends Aug 9 |
| Pea | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 23 – Aug 9 | Last chance - ends Aug 9 |
| Swiss Chard | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 23 – Aug 9 | Last chance - ends Aug 9 |
| Beet | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 30 – Aug 16 | Last chance - ends Aug 16 |
| Cilantro / Coriander | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 30 – Aug 16 | Last chance - ends Aug 16 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 6 – Aug 23 | Aug 6 – Aug 23 |
| Borage | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 6 – Aug 23 | Aug 6 – Aug 23 |
| Dill | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 6 – Aug 23 | Aug 6 – Aug 23 |
| Fava Bean (Broad Bean) | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 6 – Aug 23 | Aug 6 – Aug 23 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 6 – Aug 23 | Aug 6 – Aug 23 |
| Kohlrabi | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 6 – Aug 23 | Aug 6 – Aug 23 |
| Lettuce | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 6 – Aug 23 | Aug 6 – Aug 23 |
| Mache (Corn Salad) | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 6 – Aug 23 | Aug 6 – Aug 23 |
| Mizuna | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 6 – Aug 23 | Aug 6 – Aug 23 |
| Rapini (Broccoli Raab) | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 6 – Aug 23 | Aug 6 – Aug 23 |
| Chervil | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 13 – Aug 30 | Aug 13 – Aug 30 |
| Mustard Greens | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 13 – Aug 30 | Aug 13 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 13 – Aug 30 | Aug 13 – Aug 30 |
| Tatsoi | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 13 – Aug 30 | Aug 13 – Aug 30 |
| Turnip | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 13 – Aug 30 | Aug 13 – Aug 30 |
| Arugula | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 20 – Sep 6 | Opens Aug 20 |
| Watercress | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 20 – Sep 6 | Opens Aug 20 |
| Radish | 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.
- Bush Bean: sow again on Aug 7
- Basil: sow again on Aug 21
- Amaranth (Leaf): sow again on Aug 7 and Aug 21
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 Indiana
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Indiana: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Peak growing season: August garden jobs in Indiana
- 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.
- 8 weeks until the average first frost (October 11). Fall crops start now: bush bean, carrot, kale, radicchio. 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: potato, sweet corn, onion, shallot should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.
USDA zone chart for Indiana
Indiana spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b. 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 Indiana in August?
32 crops have a window in August: bush bean, carrot, kale, radicchio, collard greens, endive & escarole, napa cabbage, parsley, pea, swiss chard and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant garlic in Indiana in August?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Indiana the next garlic window opens around October 22: plant in fall, after first frost.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Indiana in August?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Indiana have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 27.
When is the first frost in Indiana?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 11 and the last spring frost around April 24. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in Indiana in August?
From plantings made on time: potato, sweet corn, onion, shallot, bell pepper, southern pea (cowpea), brussels sprouts, sunflower, lima bean, edamame (soybean).
What to plant in August in other states
Dates are computed from Indiana’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.