It’s hot and humid, I know, but fall is right around the corner and it’s time to start preparing our gardens for the change in seasons. By this point a lot of our summer crops are nearing their last legs, like corn and beans, while others like the luffa’s and sweet potatoes are quite happily chugging along. While hot weather is still here for this month, this is a great time to get your seeds ready for fall! Here’s a list of my favorite seeds to sow in August.
Growing Conditions in August
Not much has changed as far as growing conditions for this month. Basically it’s just like July with relief coming at the end. The average temps are in the mid-low 90’s during the day and mid 70’s at night. The UV index is still high at 11 down south, while central and north Florida will be around 10.
It is important to note that this month is peak hurricane season. If a hurricane is coming this year it’ll come most likely between now and September. Check out this post to prepare your garden for hurricanes.
Average rainfall this month is between 8-10 inches. So, if you haven’t already, pile on another layer of mulch around your crops to help absorb and trap that rainwater to tide your crops over when the weather dries out.
What Seeds To Sow In August
Here’s to the last round of heat loving seed sowing we get to do this year!
Cucurbits
This class of veggies is full of great options to grow year round. Plus, with the buggies already snacking away at the plants you’ve already got growing, chances are you baby seedlings will be left alone.
- Seminole Pumpkin – while this guy loves the rainy season, now is a great time to sow another round of these native Florida squashes. Similar in taste and size to a butternut squash, these guys love the rainy weather we get this time of year.
- Kent pumpkin – this is one I’ve heard great things about for year round growing in the subtropics. This one is definitely on my wish list of plants to grow.
- Cucumbers – I’d wait until the end of the month to get these going, and perhaps started in trays so that they can be babied a bit since the heat this time of year tends to be a bit much for them.
- Melons – Why enjoy watermelons only in the spring? Why not enjoy them as a fall crop, too. Another melon we’ve had good success with this year is the Sweet Richness 132 Melon from Baker’s Creek.
Legumes
- Chinese noodle beans/yard long beans – these guys will continue to produce well into the cooler months. They taste just like a green bean and are super hardy. Love this plant and the beautiful long pods it produces.
- If you just prefer a traditional Kentucky wonder or blue lake green bean, now is the time to get those things going. Like some other crops listed for August, wait until the end of the month. You don’t need these guys hanging out in months of hot, humid weather. A little is okay but too much might do the poor guys in.
Nightshades
It’s crazy to think that something as dangerous as the deadly nightshade could be in the same family as our beloved tomatoes, eggplants and potatoes. But hey, I guess every family has it’s crazies.
- Eggplants – these guys love the heat and humidity. Start them sooner rather than later.
- Tomatoes – who doesn’t love tomatoes?? We love growing San Marzano for the wonderful sauces they make. We also have the everglades tomato, a teeny tiny tomato native to our beautiful state. Another variety that has done very well for us is Thornburn’s terracotta tomato. These guys went straight through two hurricanes and a light frost. We start our at the end of August.
- Potatoes – you’ll want to grow the determinate varieties and make sure that your soil isn’t waterlogged for these guys. As long as you are mulching appropriately your baby potatoes should be just fine.
- Peppers – these are some pretty cool plants. They can survive a dormant season and come back the following year. Although, I wouldn’t start peppers after this month, just so they have plenty of time to grow before the cold weather sets in.
Sweet potatoes
Yes, it’s a little late in the season, but these guys will continue to grow until a really good freeze. After that the potatoes will sit in the ground as long as you let them and will even sprout up again once the warm weather returns.
Carrots
Surprisingly carrots can take a bit of heat without too much fuss. Sow these in an area that will receive protection from the harsh sun. Under the canopy of a mature crop on it’s last legs will work. The rainfall we get this time of year will help you get a good germination of those tiny, sometimes finnicky seeds.
Flowers & Herbs
There’s lots of native flowers you can grow year round here. Some that I always find growing in my yard are blue mist flowers and bidens alba. I especially love the mist flowers, they look like little cheery pompoms. 😍
For more on native flowers visit https://www.flawildflowers.org/.
These have been some of the easiest flowers to grow in my experience.
- marigolds
- black eyed susans
- zinnia’s
- coreopsis
- sunflowers
For herbs you can sow:
- lemon grass
- basil
- tulsi
- garlic chives
For more Florida specific gardening tips, check out this free Florida gardening guide.
What are some of your favorite seeds to sow in August? I’d love to know any gardening tips you have in the comments below.
Happy gardening! 😊
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