The harvest isn’t the end. What else to sow in August

August is undoubtedly the month of the harvest. It’s the month when we look forward to what we’ll be taking home from the garden. However, many of us think that the harvest marks the end of everything and that the growing season is practically over. That, of course, is a mistake. There’s still sowing to be done in August, and it would be a shame not to make the most of the opportunity. August is certainly not a month for winding down, but acts more as a sort of waystation. Why does sowing in August make sense, and which plants should you sow?

Sowing in August pays off

Undoubtedly, as the soil is literally teeming with microorganisms. It’s also warm, which isn’t the case for many other months. Seeds germinate quite quickly, as we no longer experience the same temperature fluctuations as we do in spring, for example. Growing is therefore more straightforward and also more successful than in spring.

Photo: Pixabay

Important bed preparation

Once we’ve harvested crops such as potatoes, garlic, peas or others, we’re left with an empty patch. There’s no need to dig the bed; simply level it out, lightly loosen the soil and add a bit of compost. Then it’s time to sow a wide variety of crops.

Which crops are most commonly sown in August?

There are several. We can choose mainly based on what we like.

Leafy vegetables are a classic choice

The most commonly sown are:

– lettuce (summer and autumn varieties),

– rocket,

– leaf lettuce,

– lamb’s lettuce.

Excellent root vegetables

We can sow, for example:

– radishes,

– baby beetroot,

– turnips,

– carrots.

Fragrant herbs

These are also well worth sowing. Very popular ones include:

– chives,

– dill,

– coriander.

Cruciferous vegetables

From these, we might choose, for example:

– Chinese cabbage,

– kale,

– kohlrabi.

Green manure is also a good idea

Examples include:

– mustard,

– phacelia,

– clover.

Tip: Keep carrot fresh until the spring. Nothing special.

A different approach is required

Definitely. Plants sown in August grow differently and require slightly different care. Seeds should be protected from direct sunlight, which is quite strong. We should water them gently. We must also bear in mind that growth will not be rapid; it won’t be a sprint, but rather slow growth.

Sources: Author, Meta

Photo: Radek Stepan