What to Sow in August – Seeds to Plant in August in Ireland
August may be late summer, but there is still plenty you can grow from seed. In fact, it is a great time to start fast-growing salad crops, autumn and winter vegetables, herbs and flowers for colour later in the season or next year.
If you are wondering what to sow in August in Ireland, explore our hand-picked collection of seeds to plant in August, including vegetable, herb and flower seeds suitable for late-summer sowing.
Vegetables to Plant in August
There are plenty of vegetables to plant in August, especially quick-growing leafy crops and vegetables that enjoy the cooler conditions of late summer and early autumn.
August is a particularly useful month for sowing crops such as spinach, salad leaves, rocket, turnips, oriental greens, chard and selected lettuces, depending on the variety. Late sowings of spinach can provide leaves into autumn and beyond, while many salad leaves can still be sown during August.
It is also a good time to think ahead and sow winter vegetable seeds and autumn-growing crops so that your garden does not have to stop producing when summer ends.
Whether you have a vegetable patch, raised bed, greenhouse or a few containers, there are plenty of vegetable seeds to plant in August.
Flowers to Plant in August
August is not just for vegetables. There are also flowers to plant in August, particularly selected biennials and perennials that can establish before colder weather arrives.
Some varieties can be sown during late summer for flowers in the following season. For example, selected pansies can be sown outdoors in July and August, while some perennial flowers such as coneflowers can also be direct sown during August.
Late-summer sowing is a lovely way to plan ahead and create colourful beds, borders, containers and cottage-style gardens for the months to come.
What Seeds Can I Sow in August?
The best seeds to sow in August will depend on the individual variety, your location and whether you are growing outdoors, under cover or in a greenhouse.
Popular choices can include:
- Spinach and perpetual spinach
- Lettuce and salad leaves
- Rocket
- Oriental and mustard greens
- Turnips
- Chard
- Coriander and chervil
- Selected winter and autumn vegetables
- Pansies and other selected biennial flowers
- Selected perennial flower seeds
- Green manure and cover crop seeds
For gardeners with a greenhouse or polytunnel, August can offer even more options. Irish growing guidance highlights leafy greens, lettuce, beetroot, herbs, oriental greens, spinach, chard and other crops for August sowing under protection.
Fall Crops to Plant in August
Planning an autumn and winter garden begins before summer is completely over. Sowing suitable fall crops in August gives plants time to establish while there is still warmth and good light.
August is also an important month for sowing some green manure and cover crops. Establishing cover early can help protect bare soil over winter and add valuable organic matter to the garden.
So when summer crops start leaving empty spaces in your beds, don’t leave the ground bare — use the opportunity to sow something new.
Growing from Seed in August
For the best results, always check the sowing instructions for the individual variety before planting. Different varieties of the same vegetable or flower can have different sowing periods.
Keep newly sown seed beds and containers evenly moist, particularly during warm or dry August weather. As the month progresses and temperatures begin to fall, a greenhouse, polytunnel or protected position can help extend the growing season.
Small gardens are no problem either. Many August crops can be grown in pots, containers, raised beds and compact vegetable gardens, making late-summer sowing suitable for beginners as well as experienced gardeners.
Shop Seeds to Plant in August
Not sure what to plant in August? Browse our collection of seeds to plant in August in Ireland and keep your garden growing into autumn, winter and beyond.
Discover vegetable seeds,ow now, enjoy later — there is still plenty of growing season left.
Browse our August seed collection and grow something beautiful with purpose. flower seeds, herbs, greens and seasonal favourites selected for August sowing.
