What to plant in August in West Virginia
In West Virginia (WV), August sits about 7 weeks before the average first fall frost (October 5). The state averages 153 frost-free days a year (last frost May 5, first frost October 5; USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a).
29 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 West Virginia frost dates (last frost May 5, first frost Oct 5). For one crop in detail, see when to plant pea, swiss chard or beet in West Virginia.
West Virginia: 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 West Virginia'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.
- Zucchini / Summer Squash: sow again on Aug 4
- Basil: sow again on Aug 11
- Amaranth (Leaf): sow again on Aug 4 and Aug 18
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 West Virginia
Every crop has its own full-year dates for West Virginia: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Fall garden season: August garden jobs in West Virginia
- 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 West Virginia
West Virginia 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 West Virginia in August?
29 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 West Virginia in August?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In West Virginia the next garlic window opens around October 16: plant in fall, after first frost.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in West Virginia in August?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in West Virginia have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about March 10.
When is the first frost in West Virginia?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 5 and the last spring frost around May 5. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in West Virginia in August?
From plantings made on time: potato, tomato, sweet corn, onion, shallot, bitter melon, bell pepper, southern pea (cowpea), thyme, sage.
What to plant in August in other states
Dates are computed from West Virginia’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.