What to plant in August in Mississippi
In Mississippi (MS), August is the heart of the growing season - about 21 weeks after the last frost (March 20) and 12 weeks before the first (November 5). The state averages 230 frost-free days a year (last frost March 20, first frost November 5; USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a).
30 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including rutabaga, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, fennel (bulb) - and 4 of those windows close during August.
Dates here come from Mississippi frost dates (last frost Mar 20, first frost Nov 5). For one crop in detail, see when to plant broccoli, cabbage or cauliflower in Mississippi.
Mississippi: planting activity through the year
Last chance in August
Rutabaga (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 6) · Broccoli (start transplants for fall, by Aug 13) · Cabbage (start transplants for fall, by Aug 13) · Cauliflower (start transplants for fall, by Aug 13)
For fall and winter harvests (29)
Sowings counted back from Mississippi'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 20 – Aug 6 | Last chance - ends Aug 6 |
| Broccoli | Start transplants for fall | Jul 27 – Aug 13 | Last chance - ends Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Start transplants for fall | Jul 27 – Aug 13 | Last chance - ends Aug 13 |
| Cauliflower | Start transplants for fall | Jul 27 – Aug 13 | Last chance - ends Aug 13 |
| Cucumber | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 3 – Aug 20 | Aug 3 – Aug 20 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 3 – Aug 20 | Aug 3 – Aug 20 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 3 – Aug 20 | Aug 3 – Aug 20 |
| Bush Bean | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 10 – Aug 27 | Aug 10 – Aug 27 |
| Carrot | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 10 – Aug 27 | Aug 10 – Aug 27 |
| Kale | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 10 – Aug 27 | Aug 10 – Aug 27 |
| Radicchio | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 10 – Aug 27 | Aug 10 – Aug 27 |
| Collard Greens | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 17 – Sep 3 | Opens Aug 17 |
| Endive & Escarole | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 17 – Sep 3 | Opens Aug 17 |
| Napa Cabbage | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 17 – Sep 3 | Opens Aug 17 |
| Parsley | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 17 – Sep 3 | Opens Aug 17 |
| Pea | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 17 – Sep 3 | Opens Aug 17 |
| Swiss Chard | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 17 – Sep 3 | Opens Aug 17 |
| Beet | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 24 – Sep 10 | Opens Aug 24 |
| Cilantro / Coriander | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 24 – Sep 10 | Opens Aug 24 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 31 – Sep 17 | Opens Aug 31 |
| Borage | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 31 – Sep 17 | Opens Aug 31 |
| Dill | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 31 – Sep 17 | Opens Aug 31 |
| Fava Bean (Broad Bean) | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 31 – Sep 17 | Opens Aug 31 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 31 – Sep 17 | Opens Aug 31 |
| Kohlrabi | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 31 – Sep 17 | Opens Aug 31 |
| Lettuce | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 31 – Sep 17 | Opens Aug 31 |
| Mache (Corn Salad) | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 31 – Sep 17 | Opens Aug 31 |
| Mizuna | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 31 – Sep 17 | Opens Aug 31 |
| Rapini (Broccoli Raab) | Sow for a fall crop | 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 7 and Aug 28
- Zucchini / Summer Squash: sow again on Aug 14
- Basil: sow again on Aug 7 and Aug 28
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 Mississippi
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Mississippi: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Peak growing season: August garden jobs in Mississippi
- 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.
- 12 weeks until the average first frost (November 5). 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, salsify, celery, luffa (loofah gourd) should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.
USDA zone chart for Mississippi
Mississippi spans USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. 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 Mississippi in August?
30 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 Mississippi in August?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Mississippi the next garlic window opens around November 16: plant in fall, after first frost.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Mississippi in August?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Mississippi have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about January 23.
When is the first frost in Mississippi?
The statewide average first fall frost is around November 5 and the last spring frost around March 20. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in Mississippi in August?
From plantings made on time: leek, salsify, celery, luffa (loofah gourd), peanut, sweet potato, chayote.
What to plant in August in other states
Dates are computed from Mississippi’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.