What to plant in August in Michigan
In Michigan (MI), August sits about 7 weeks before the average first fall frost (October 5). The state averages 148 frost-free days a year (last frost May 10, first frost October 5; USDA zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b).
28 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including collard greens, endive & escarole, napa cabbage, parsley, pea, swiss chard - and 18 of those windows close during August.
Dates here come from Michigan frost dates (last frost May 10, first frost Oct 5). For one crop in detail, see when to plant pea, swiss chard or beet in Michigan.
Michigan 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.
Michigan: planting activity through the year
Last chance in August
Collard Greens (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 3) · Endive & Escarole (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 3) · Napa Cabbage (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 3) · Parsley (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 3) · Pea (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 3) · Swiss Chard (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 3) · Beet (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 10) · Cilantro / Coriander (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 10) · Bok Choy / Pak Choi (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 17) · Borage (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 17) · Dill (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 17) · Fava Bean (Broad Bean) (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 17) · Green Onion / Scallion (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 17) · Kohlrabi (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 17) · Lettuce (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 17) · Mache (Corn Salad) (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 17) · Mizuna (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 17) · Rapini (Broccoli Raab) (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 17)
For fall and winter harvests (26)
Sowings counted back from Michigan'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collard Greens | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 17 – Aug 3 | Last chance - ends Aug 3 |
| Endive & Escarole | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 17 – Aug 3 | Last chance - ends Aug 3 |
| Napa Cabbage | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 17 – Aug 3 | Last chance - ends Aug 3 |
| Parsley | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 17 – Aug 3 | Last chance - ends Aug 3 |
| Pea | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 17 – Aug 3 | Last chance - ends Aug 3 |
| Swiss Chard | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 17 – Aug 3 | Last chance - ends Aug 3 |
| Beet | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 24 – Aug 10 | Last chance - ends Aug 10 |
| Cilantro / Coriander | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 24 – Aug 10 | Last chance - ends Aug 10 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 31 – Aug 17 | Last chance - ends Aug 17 |
| Borage | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 31 – Aug 17 | Last chance - ends Aug 17 |
| Dill | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 31 – Aug 17 | Last chance - ends Aug 17 |
| Fava Bean (Broad Bean) | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 31 – Aug 17 | Last chance - ends Aug 17 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 31 – Aug 17 | Last chance - ends Aug 17 |
| Kohlrabi | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 31 – Aug 17 | Last chance - ends Aug 17 |
| Lettuce | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 31 – Aug 17 | Last chance - ends Aug 17 |
| Mache (Corn Salad) | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 31 – Aug 17 | Last chance - ends Aug 17 |
| Mizuna | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 31 – Aug 17 | Last chance - ends Aug 17 |
| Rapini (Broccoli Raab) | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 31 – Aug 17 | Last chance - ends Aug 17 |
| Chervil | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 7 – Aug 24 | Aug 7 – Aug 24 |
| Mustard Greens | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 7 – Aug 24 | Aug 7 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 7 – Aug 24 | Aug 7 – Aug 24 |
| Tatsoi | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 7 – Aug 24 | Aug 7 – Aug 24 |
| Turnip | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 7 – Aug 24 | Aug 7 – Aug 24 |
| Arugula | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 14 – Aug 31 | Aug 14 – Aug 31 |
| Watercress | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 14 – Aug 31 | Aug 14 – Aug 31 |
| Radish | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 21 – Sep 7 | Opens Aug 21 |
Keep sowing (succession)
Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.
- Basil: sow again on Aug 16
- Amaranth (Leaf): sow again on Aug 9
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 Michigan
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Michigan: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Fall garden season: August garden jobs in Michigan
- The average first frost is October 5, about 7 weeks away. Pick tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans) before it, or cover them on cold nights.
- Still time to sow or plant: collard greens, endive & escarole, napa cabbage, parsley, pea, swiss chard. Fast greens and radishes are the safest bets this late.
- Row cover buys 4-6°F of frost protection and weeks of extra harvest - see season extension.
- Pull finished crops and sow a cover crop (cereal rye or crimson clover) into empty beds before the soil gets cold.
USDA zone chart for Michigan
Michigan spans USDA zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 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 Michigan in August?
28 crops have a window in August: collard greens, endive & escarole, napa cabbage, parsley, pea, swiss chard, beet, cilantro / coriander, bok choy / pak choi, borage and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant garlic in Michigan in August?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Michigan the next garlic window opens around October 16: plant in fall, after first frost.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Michigan in August?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Michigan have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about March 15.
When is the first frost in Michigan?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 5 and the last spring frost around May 10. Michigan covers a wide range of climates, so local dates can differ by two weeks or more - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in Michigan in August?
From plantings made on time: radicchio, tarragon, potato, fennel (bulb), mint, lemon balm, cucumber, tomato, sweet corn, sweet marjoram.
What to plant in August in other states
Dates are computed from Michigan’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.