August is still a productive month — perfect for sowing fast‑growing crops and setting up your autumn and winter harvests.

What to sow in August

• Lettuce – sow little and often, but keep trays or young plants out of the harsh midday sun to stop them scorching.
• Rocket, spring onions and radish – quick, reliable crops that will keep salads going into autumn.
• Winter salads, including mustard leaf and lamb’s lettuce, can be sown now for cool‑season picking.
• Kale – sow up to mid‑August for strong plants that will stand well into winter.
• Spinach – thrives in cooler weather and can survive frosts and heavy rain later in the year.
• Spring cabbage – sow now for planting out in autumn and harvesting next spring.

What to do in August

Harvest time!

• Expect an abundance of runner beans, courgettes and marrows — and the annual promise to yourself not to plant quite so many next year… until next year arrives.
• After sharing with neighbours (to the point where they start hiding behind the curtains), consider freezing, pickling, or making runner bean chutney.
• Keep watering, especially:
  • Leafy crops, or they’ll bolt.
  • Runner and French beans, which crop better with consistent moisture.
  • Courgettes and marrows, which toughen if they dry out.
• Deadhead flowering plants regularly to keep them blooming through late summer.
• Collect seed from garden plants — it’s satisfying, economical, and great for next year.
• Lift and pot up strawberry runners to create new plants for next season.
• Cut out old fruited raspberry canes to make room for new growth and improve airflow.