My Planting Calendar

What to plant in August in Louisiana

In Louisiana (LA), August is the heart of the growing season - about 23 weeks after the last frost (March 5) and 13 weeks before the first (November 15). The state averages 255 frost-free days a year (last frost March 5, first frost November 15; USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b).

19 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including brussels sprouts, rutabaga, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber - and 2 of those windows close during August.

Dates here come from Louisiana frost dates (last frost Mar 5, first frost Nov 15). For one crop in detail, see when to plant broccoli, cabbage or cauliflower in Louisiana.

Peak growing seasonSow or plant: 19Start indoors: 0Harvesting: 3

Louisiana: planting activity through the year

56
70
84
40
9
9
11
19
31
8
2
9
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Mar 5 – Nov 15
Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 19 have one in August; the busiest month is March (84).

Last chance in August

Brussels Sprouts (start transplants for fall, by Aug 2) · Rutabaga (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 16)

For fall and winter harvests (18)

Sowings counted back from Louisiana's first fall frost, so the crop matures before the cold - or, for garlic and similar, planted after it.

CropWhat to doWindowThis month
Brussels SproutsStart transplants for fallJul 16 – Aug 2Last chance - ends Aug 2
RutabagaSow for a fall cropJul 30 – Aug 16Last chance - ends Aug 16
BroccoliStart transplants for fallAug 6 – Aug 23Aug 6 – Aug 23
CabbageStart transplants for fallAug 6 – Aug 23Aug 6 – Aug 23
CauliflowerStart transplants for fallAug 6 – Aug 23Aug 6 – Aug 23
CucumberSow for a fall cropAug 13 – Aug 30Aug 13 – Aug 30
Fennel (Bulb)Sow for a fall cropAug 13 – Aug 30Aug 13 – Aug 30
Zucchini / Summer SquashSow for a fall cropAug 13 – Aug 30Aug 13 – Aug 30
Bush BeanSow for a fall cropAug 20 – Sep 6Opens Aug 20
CarrotSow for a fall cropAug 20 – Sep 6Opens Aug 20
KaleSow for a fall cropAug 20 – Sep 6Opens Aug 20
RadicchioSow for a fall cropAug 20 – Sep 6Opens Aug 20
Collard GreensSow for a fall cropAug 27 – Sep 13Opens Aug 27
Endive & EscaroleSow for a fall cropAug 27 – Sep 13Opens Aug 27
Napa CabbageSow for a fall cropAug 27 – Sep 13Opens Aug 27
ParsleySow for a fall cropAug 27 – Sep 13Opens Aug 27
PeaSow for a fall cropAug 27 – Sep 13Opens Aug 27
Swiss ChardSow for a fall cropAug 27 – Sep 13Opens Aug 27

Keep sowing (succession)

Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.

Harvesting in August

First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.

Luffa (Loofah Gourd) · Jun 17 – Aug 16Peanut · Jun 20 – Aug 9Chayote · Jul 17 – Aug 16

Planting dates for popular crops in Louisiana

Every crop has its own full-year dates for Louisiana: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.

When to plant broccoli in Louisiana →When to plant cabbage in Louisiana →When to plant cauliflower in Louisiana →When to plant cucumber in Louisiana →When to plant zucchini in Louisiana →When to plant bush bean in Louisiana →When to plant carrot in Louisiana →When to plant kale in Louisiana →Louisiana frost dates by zone →

Peak growing season: August garden jobs in Louisiana

  1. 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.
  2. 13 weeks until the average first frost (November 15). Fall crops start now: brussels sprouts, rutabaga, broccoli, cabbage. See the fall and winter garden guide.
  3. Check the undersides of leaves twice a week - catching pests early is most of the battle (pest identification guide).
  4. Harvest often: luffa (loofah gourd), peanut, chayote should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.

USDA zone chart for Louisiana

Louisiana spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.

ZoneLast frostFirst frostSeason
Zone 8Mar 20Nov 5230 days
Zone 9Feb 20Nov 30280 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Louisiana in August?

19 crops have a window in August: brussels sprouts, rutabaga, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, fennel (bulb), zucchini / summer squash, bush bean, carrot and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.

Is it too late to plant garlic in Louisiana in August?

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Louisiana the next garlic window opens around November 26: plant in fall, after first frost.

Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Louisiana in August?

For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Louisiana have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about January 8.

When is the first frost in Louisiana?

The statewide average first fall frost is around November 15 and the last spring frost around March 5. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What can I harvest in Louisiana in August?

From plantings made on time: luffa (loofah gourd), peanut, chayote.

← July in LouisianaSeptember in Louisiana →Full-year Louisiana planting calendar →Louisiana frost dates →

What to plant in August in other states

AlabamaArkansasFloridaMississippiAlaskaArizonaCaliforniaColoradoAll states →

Dates are computed from Louisiana’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.