What to plant in August in Nebraska
In Nebraska (NE), August sits about 7 weeks before the average first fall frost (October 5). The state averages 158 frost-free days a year (last frost April 30, first frost October 5; USDA zones 4b, 5a, 5b).
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 Nebraska frost dates (last frost Apr 30, first frost Oct 5). For one crop in detail, see when to plant pea, swiss chard or beet in Nebraska.
Nebraska: 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 Nebraska'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 6
- Amaranth (Leaf): sow again on Aug 13
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 Nebraska
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Nebraska: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Fall garden season: August garden jobs in Nebraska
- 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 Nebraska
Nebraska spans USDA zones 4b, 5a, 5b. 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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska in August?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Nebraska the next garlic window opens around October 16: plant in fall, after first frost.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Nebraska in August?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Nebraska have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about March 5.
When is the first frost in Nebraska?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 5 and the last spring frost around April 30. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in Nebraska in August?
From plantings made on time: potato, sweet corn, onion, shallot, bell pepper, southern pea (cowpea), brussels sprouts, ground cherry, sunflower, shiso (perilla).
What to plant in August in other states
Dates are computed from Nebraska’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.