What to plant in August in Rhode Island
In Rhode Island (RI), August is the heart of the growing season - about 16 weeks after the last frost (April 25) and 9 weeks before the first (October 15). The state averages 173 frost-free days a year (last frost April 25, first frost October 15; USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a).
34 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including bush bean, carrot, kale, radicchio, collard greens, endive & escarole - and 10 of those windows close during August.
Dates here come from Rhode Island frost dates (last frost Apr 25, first frost Oct 15). For one crop in detail, see when to plant bush bean, carrot or kale in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island: planting activity through the year
Last chance in August
Bush Bean (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 6) · Carrot (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 6) · Kale (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 6) · Radicchio (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 6) · Collard Greens (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 13) · Endive & Escarole (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 13) · Napa Cabbage (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 13) · Parsley (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 13) · Pea (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 13) · Swiss Chard (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 13)
For fall and winter harvests (30)
Sowings counted back from Rhode Island'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 20 – Aug 6 | Last chance - ends Aug 6 |
| Carrot | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 20 – Aug 6 | Last chance - ends Aug 6 |
| Kale | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 20 – Aug 6 | Last chance - ends Aug 6 |
| Radicchio | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 20 – Aug 6 | Last chance - ends Aug 6 |
| Collard Greens | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 27 – Aug 13 | Last chance - ends Aug 13 |
| Endive & Escarole | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 27 – Aug 13 | Last chance - ends Aug 13 |
| Napa Cabbage | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 27 – Aug 13 | Last chance - ends Aug 13 |
| Parsley | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 27 – Aug 13 | Last chance - ends Aug 13 |
| Pea | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 27 – Aug 13 | Last chance - ends Aug 13 |
| Swiss Chard | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 27 – Aug 13 | Last chance - ends Aug 13 |
| Beet | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 3 – Aug 20 | Aug 3 – Aug 20 |
| Cilantro / Coriander | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 3 – Aug 20 | Aug 3 – Aug 20 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 10 – Aug 27 | Aug 10 – Aug 27 |
| Borage | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 10 – Aug 27 | Aug 10 – Aug 27 |
| Dill | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 10 – Aug 27 | Aug 10 – Aug 27 |
| Fava Bean (Broad Bean) | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 10 – Aug 27 | Aug 10 – Aug 27 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 10 – Aug 27 | Aug 10 – Aug 27 |
| Kohlrabi | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 10 – Aug 27 | Aug 10 – Aug 27 |
| Lettuce | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 10 – Aug 27 | Aug 10 – Aug 27 |
| Mache (Corn Salad) | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 10 – Aug 27 | Aug 10 – Aug 27 |
| Mizuna | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 10 – Aug 27 | Aug 10 – Aug 27 |
| Rapini (Broccoli Raab) | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 10 – Aug 27 | Aug 10 – Aug 27 |
| Chervil | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 17 – Sep 3 | Opens Aug 17 |
| Mustard Greens | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 17 – Sep 3 | Opens Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 17 – Sep 3 | Opens Aug 17 |
| Tatsoi | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 17 – Sep 3 | Opens Aug 17 |
| Turnip | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 17 – Sep 3 | Opens Aug 17 |
| Arugula | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 24 – Sep 10 | Opens Aug 24 |
| Watercress | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 24 – Sep 10 | Opens Aug 24 |
| Radish | 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 1
- Bush Bean: sow again on Aug 8
- Basil: sow again on Aug 1 and Aug 22
- Southern Pea (Cowpea): sow again on Aug 1
- Amaranth (Leaf): sow again on Aug 8 and Aug 22
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 Rhode Island
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Rhode Island: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Peak growing season: August garden jobs in Rhode Island
- 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 15). Fall crops start now: bush bean, carrot, kale, radicchio. 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: potato, sweet corn, onion, shallot should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.
USDA zone chart for Rhode Island
Rhode Island spans USDA zones 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 Rhode Island in August?
34 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 Rhode Island in August?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Rhode Island the next garlic window opens around October 26: plant in fall, after first frost.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Rhode Island in August?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Rhode Island have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 28.
When is the first frost in Rhode Island?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 15 and the last spring frost around April 25. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in Rhode Island in August?
From plantings made on time: potato, sweet corn, onion, shallot, bell pepper, southern pea (cowpea), brussels sprouts, sunflower, lima bean, edamame (soybean).
What to plant in August in other states
Dates are computed from Rhode Island’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.