What to plant in August in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania (PA), August sits about 8 weeks before the average first fall frost (October 10). The state averages 162 frost-free days a year (last frost May 1, first frost October 10; USDA zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b).
33 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including bush bean, carrot, kale, radicchio, collard greens, endive & escarole - and 12 of those windows close during August.
Dates here come from Pennsylvania frost dates (last frost May 1, first frost Oct 10). For one crop in detail, see when to plant bush bean, carrot or kale in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania 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.
Pennsylvania: planting activity through the year
Last chance in August
Bush Bean (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 1) · Carrot (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 1) · Kale (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 1) · Radicchio (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 1) · Collard Greens (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 8) · Endive & Escarole (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 8) · Napa Cabbage (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 8) · Parsley (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 8) · Pea (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 8) · Swiss Chard (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 8) · Beet (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 15) · Cilantro / Coriander (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 15)
For fall and winter harvests (30)
Sowings counted back from Pennsylvania'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bush Bean | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 15 – Aug 1 | Last chance - ends Aug 1 |
| Carrot | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 15 – Aug 1 | Last chance - ends Aug 1 |
| Kale | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 15 – Aug 1 | Last chance - ends Aug 1 |
| Radicchio | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 15 – Aug 1 | Last chance - ends Aug 1 |
| Collard Greens | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 22 – Aug 8 | Last chance - ends Aug 8 |
| Endive & Escarole | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 22 – Aug 8 | Last chance - ends Aug 8 |
| Napa Cabbage | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 22 – Aug 8 | Last chance - ends Aug 8 |
| Parsley | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 22 – Aug 8 | Last chance - ends Aug 8 |
| Pea | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 22 – Aug 8 | Last chance - ends Aug 8 |
| Swiss Chard | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 22 – Aug 8 | Last chance - ends Aug 8 |
| Beet | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 29 – Aug 15 | Last chance - ends Aug 15 |
| Cilantro / Coriander | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 29 – Aug 15 | Last chance - ends Aug 15 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 5 – Aug 22 | Aug 5 – Aug 22 |
| Borage | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 5 – Aug 22 | Aug 5 – Aug 22 |
| Dill | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 5 – Aug 22 | Aug 5 – Aug 22 |
| Fava Bean (Broad Bean) | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 5 – Aug 22 | Aug 5 – Aug 22 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 5 – Aug 22 | Aug 5 – Aug 22 |
| Kohlrabi | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 5 – Aug 22 | Aug 5 – Aug 22 |
| Lettuce | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 5 – Aug 22 | Aug 5 – Aug 22 |
| Mache (Corn Salad) | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 5 – Aug 22 | Aug 5 – Aug 22 |
| Mizuna | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 5 – Aug 22 | Aug 5 – Aug 22 |
| Rapini (Broccoli Raab) | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 5 – Aug 22 | Aug 5 – Aug 22 |
| Chervil | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 12 – Aug 29 | Aug 12 – Aug 29 |
| Mustard Greens | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 12 – Aug 29 | Aug 12 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 12 – Aug 29 | Aug 12 – Aug 29 |
| Tatsoi | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 12 – Aug 29 | Aug 12 – Aug 29 |
| Turnip | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 12 – Aug 29 | Aug 12 – Aug 29 |
| Arugula | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 19 – Sep 5 | Opens Aug 19 |
| Watercress | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 19 – Sep 5 | Opens Aug 19 |
| Radish | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 26 – Sep 12 | Opens Aug 26 |
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
- Basil: sow again on Aug 7
- Amaranth (Leaf): sow again on Aug 14
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 Pennsylvania
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Pennsylvania: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Fall garden season: August garden jobs in Pennsylvania
- The average first frost is October 10, about 8 weeks away. Pick tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans) before it, or cover them on cold nights.
- Still time to sow or plant: bush bean, carrot, kale, radicchio, collard greens, endive & escarole. 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 Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania spans USDA zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b. 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 Pennsylvania in August?
33 crops have a window in August: bush bean, carrot, kale, radicchio, collard greens, endive & escarole, napa cabbage, parsley, pea, swiss chard and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant garlic in Pennsylvania in August?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Pennsylvania the next garlic window opens around October 21: plant in fall, after first frost.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Pennsylvania in August?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Pennsylvania have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about March 6.
When is the first frost in Pennsylvania?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 10 and the last spring frost around May 1. Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania in August?
From plantings made on time: potato, tomato, sweet corn, onion, shallot, bell pepper, southern pea (cowpea), brussels sprouts, ground cherry, sunflower.
What to plant in August in other states
Dates are computed from Pennsylvania’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.