What to plant in August in Missouri
In Missouri (MO), August is the heart of the growing season - about 17 weeks after the last frost (April 15) and 9 weeks before the first (October 18). The state averages 186 frost-free days a year (last frost April 15, first frost October 18; USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a).
35 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including cucumber, fennel (bulb), zucchini / summer squash, bush bean, carrot, kale - and 13 of those windows close during August.
Dates here come from Missouri frost dates (last frost Apr 15, first frost Oct 18). For one crop in detail, see when to plant cucumber, zucchini or bush bean in Missouri.
Missouri: planting activity through the year
Last chance in August
Cucumber (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 2) · Fennel (Bulb) (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 2) · Zucchini / Summer Squash (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 2) · Bush Bean (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 9) · Carrot (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 9) · Kale (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 9) · Radicchio (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 9) · Collard Greens (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 16) · Endive & Escarole (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 16) · Napa Cabbage (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 16) · Parsley (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 16) · Pea (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 16) · Swiss Chard (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 16)
For fall and winter harvests (32)
Sowings counted back from Missouri'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cucumber | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 16 – Aug 2 | Last chance - ends Aug 2 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 16 – Aug 2 | Last chance - ends Aug 2 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 16 – Aug 2 | Last chance - ends Aug 2 |
| Bush Bean | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 23 – Aug 9 | Last chance - ends Aug 9 |
| Carrot | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 23 – Aug 9 | Last chance - ends Aug 9 |
| Kale | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 23 – Aug 9 | Last chance - ends Aug 9 |
| Radicchio | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 23 – Aug 9 | Last chance - ends Aug 9 |
| Collard Greens | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 30 – Aug 16 | Last chance - ends Aug 16 |
| Endive & Escarole | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 30 – Aug 16 | Last chance - ends Aug 16 |
| Napa Cabbage | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 30 – Aug 16 | Last chance - ends Aug 16 |
| Parsley | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 30 – Aug 16 | Last chance - ends Aug 16 |
| Pea | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 30 – Aug 16 | Last chance - ends Aug 16 |
| Swiss Chard | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 30 – Aug 16 | Last chance - ends Aug 16 |
| Beet | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 6 – Aug 23 | Aug 6 – Aug 23 |
| Cilantro / Coriander | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 6 – Aug 23 | Aug 6 – Aug 23 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 13 – Aug 30 | Aug 13 – Aug 30 |
| Borage | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 13 – Aug 30 | Aug 13 – Aug 30 |
| Dill | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 13 – Aug 30 | Aug 13 – Aug 30 |
| Fava Bean (Broad Bean) | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 13 – Aug 30 | Aug 13 – Aug 30 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 13 – Aug 30 | Aug 13 – Aug 30 |
| Kohlrabi | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 13 – Aug 30 | Aug 13 – Aug 30 |
| Lettuce | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 13 – Aug 30 | Aug 13 – Aug 30 |
| Mache (Corn Salad) | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 13 – Aug 30 | Aug 13 – Aug 30 |
| Mizuna | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 13 – Aug 30 | Aug 13 – Aug 30 |
| Rapini (Broccoli Raab) | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 13 – Aug 30 | Aug 13 – Aug 30 |
| Chervil | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 20 – Sep 6 | Opens Aug 20 |
| Mustard Greens | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 20 – Sep 6 | Opens Aug 20 |
| Spinach | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 20 – Sep 6 | Opens Aug 20 |
| Tatsoi | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 20 – Sep 6 | Opens Aug 20 |
| Turnip | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 20 – Sep 6 | Opens Aug 20 |
| Arugula | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 27 – Sep 13 | Opens Aug 27 |
| Watercress | 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.
- Cucumber: sow again on Aug 12
- Zucchini / Summer Squash: sow again on Aug 12
- Bush Bean: sow again on Aug 12
- Basil: sow again on Aug 12
- Southern Pea (Cowpea): sow again on Aug 5
- Amaranth (Leaf): sow again on Aug 12
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 Missouri
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Missouri: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Peak growing season: August garden jobs in Missouri
- 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.
- 9 weeks until the average first frost (October 18). Fall crops start now: cucumber, fennel (bulb), zucchini / summer squash, bush bean. 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: lima bean, chili pepper, watermelon, leek should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.
USDA zone chart for Missouri
Missouri spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a. 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 Missouri in August?
35 crops have a window in August: cucumber, fennel (bulb), zucchini / summer squash, bush bean, carrot, kale, radicchio, collard greens, endive & escarole, napa cabbage and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant garlic in Missouri in August?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Missouri the next garlic window opens around October 29: plant in fall, after first frost.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Missouri in August?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Missouri have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 18.
When is the first frost in Missouri?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 18 and the last spring frost around April 15. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in Missouri in August?
From plantings made on time: lima bean, chili pepper, watermelon, leek, winter squash, parsnip, salsify, pumpkin, rosemary, celery.
What to plant in August in other states
Dates are computed from Missouri’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.