What to plant in August in North Carolina
In North Carolina (NC), August is the heart of the growing season - about 19 weeks after the last frost (April 5) and 10 weeks before the first (October 25). The state averages 203 frost-free days a year (last frost April 5, first frost October 25; USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b).
38 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, fennel (bulb), zucchini / summer squash - and 10 of those windows close during August.
Dates here come from North Carolina frost dates (last frost Apr 5, first frost Oct 25). For one crop in detail, see when to plant broccoli, cabbage or cauliflower in North Carolina.
North Carolina 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.
North Carolina: planting activity through the year
Last chance in August
Broccoli (start transplants for fall, by Aug 2) · Cabbage (start transplants for fall, by Aug 2) · Cauliflower (start transplants for fall, by Aug 2) · Cucumber (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 9) · Fennel (Bulb) (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 9) · Zucchini / Summer Squash (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 9) · Bush Bean (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 16) · Carrot (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 16) · Kale (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 16) · Radicchio (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 16)
For fall and winter harvests (33)
Sowings counted back from North Carolina'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broccoli | Start transplants for fall | Jul 16 – Aug 2 | Last chance - ends Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start transplants for fall | Jul 16 – Aug 2 | Last chance - ends Aug 2 |
| Cauliflower | Start transplants for fall | Jul 16 – Aug 2 | Last chance - ends Aug 2 |
| Cucumber | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 23 – Aug 9 | Last chance - ends Aug 9 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 23 – Aug 9 | Last chance - ends Aug 9 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 23 – Aug 9 | Last chance - ends Aug 9 |
| Bush Bean | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 30 – Aug 16 | Last chance - ends Aug 16 |
| Carrot | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 30 – Aug 16 | Last chance - ends Aug 16 |
| Kale | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 30 – Aug 16 | Last chance - ends Aug 16 |
| Radicchio | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 30 – Aug 16 | Last chance - ends Aug 16 |
| Collard Greens | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 6 – Aug 23 | Aug 6 – Aug 23 |
| Endive & Escarole | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 6 – Aug 23 | Aug 6 – Aug 23 |
| Napa Cabbage | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 6 – Aug 23 | Aug 6 – Aug 23 |
| Parsley | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 6 – Aug 23 | Aug 6 – Aug 23 |
| Pea | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 6 – Aug 23 | Aug 6 – Aug 23 |
| Swiss Chard | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 6 – Aug 23 | Aug 6 – Aug 23 |
| Beet | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 13 – Aug 30 | Aug 13 – Aug 30 |
| Cilantro / Coriander | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 13 – Aug 30 | Aug 13 – Aug 30 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 20 – Sep 6 | Opens Aug 20 |
| Borage | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 20 – Sep 6 | Opens Aug 20 |
| Dill | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 20 – Sep 6 | Opens Aug 20 |
| Fava Bean (Broad Bean) | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 20 – Sep 6 | Opens Aug 20 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 20 – Sep 6 | Opens Aug 20 |
| Kohlrabi | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 20 – Sep 6 | Opens Aug 20 |
| Lettuce | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 20 – Sep 6 | Opens Aug 20 |
| Mache (Corn Salad) | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 20 – Sep 6 | Opens Aug 20 |
| Mizuna | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 20 – Sep 6 | Opens Aug 20 |
| Rapini (Broccoli Raab) | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 20 – Sep 6 | Opens Aug 20 |
| Chervil | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 27 – Sep 13 | Opens Aug 27 |
| Mustard Greens | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 27 – Sep 13 | Opens Aug 27 |
| Spinach | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 27 – Sep 13 | Opens Aug 27 |
| Tatsoi | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 27 – Sep 13 | Opens Aug 27 |
| Turnip | 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 2
- Zucchini / Summer Squash: sow again on Aug 2
- Bush Bean: sow again on Aug 2
- Sweet Corn: sow again on Aug 2
- Basil: sow again on Aug 2 and Aug 23
- Southern Pea (Cowpea): sow again on Aug 9
- Sunflower: sow again on Aug 2
- Amaranth (Leaf): sow again on Aug 2
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 North Carolina
Every crop has its own full-year dates for North Carolina: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Peak growing season: August garden jobs in North Carolina
- 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.
- 10 weeks until the average first frost (October 25). Fall crops start now: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber. 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, parsnip, salsify, pumpkin should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.
USDA zone chart for North Carolina
North Carolina spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b. 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 North Carolina in August?
38 crops have a window in August: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, fennel (bulb), zucchini / summer squash, bush bean, carrot, kale, radicchio and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant garlic in North Carolina in August?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In North Carolina the next garlic window opens around November 5: plant in fall, after first frost.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in North Carolina in August?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in North Carolina have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 8.
When is the first frost in North Carolina?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 25 and the last spring frost around April 5. North Carolina 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 North Carolina in August?
From plantings made on time: leek, parsnip, salsify, pumpkin, rosemary, celery, celeriac, luffa (loofah gourd), peanut, sweet potato.
What to plant in August in other states
Dates are computed from North Carolina’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.