Sow These 5 Salad Crops in August for Swift Harvest and Remarkable Taste
August is the perfect time to sow fast-growing, cool-weather leafy greens and root vegetables for a bountiful harvest in September and beyond. Here are some key crops to consider:
Spinach, a cold-hardy, quick-growing leafy green, is ideal for sowing in August. It can be harvested as soon as leaves reach usable size, often within weeks. Cut-and-come-again varieties provide multiple harvests through autumn and winter.
Lettuce, particularly hardy varieties like 'Winter Gem' or other winter lettuces, grow well sown in August and provide steady salad leaves through colder months. Frequent sowing extends harvest time. 'All The Year Round' lettuce is a popular and reliable variety.
Rocket and Mizuna, fast-growing, flavorful salad leaves, thrive in late summer and cooler weather, with harvests a few weeks after sowing. Mibuna has a light mustard taste.
Radishes are among the quickest root vegetables, with some varieties ready for harvest in as little as 3-4 weeks. 'French Breakfast' from Suttons produces long roots instead of the classic globular radishes. Caterpillars can be a garden pest for radishes, but butterfly netting like the protective insect mesh from Amazon can help.
Spring Onions are another great choice for a quick harvest in autumn. They mature quickly and are great for fresh, crisp salad additions.
Swiss Chard is another salad crop that can be sown in August for September pickings. It's one of the best drought-tolerant vegetables and 'Celebration' Swiss Chard seeds produce rainbow-colored leaves.
In addition to these, consider carrots for an early autumn crop. Fast-growing quick varieties sown early in August can be harvested by autumn, especially if planted in fine, well-drained soil. Kale and other brassicas can also be sown in August for a productive autumn and continued harvest.
For best results, sow seeds directly outdoors in prepared soil, keep soil moist, thin seedlings appropriately, and protect tender seedlings from pests and harsh sun. Successive sowings through late August can extend the salad harvest season into the colder months.
Sophie King, our Gardens Editor since June 2024, loves sharing growing hacks for every space, from herbaceous borders to balconies. Texsel greens, with their unmistakable garlic-like flavor and rich nutrients, are a good choice for sowing in August. Oriental salad leaves are another great option.
Remember, a little planning now can lead to a rewarding autumn and winter garden!
- Cooking can include a variety of dishes using the bountiful harvest from sowing leafy greens and root vegetables like spinach, lettuce, rocket, mizuna, radishes, spring onions, Swiss chard, carrots, and kale during August for a flavorful food-and-drink experience.
- Gardening during August isn't just about sowing cool-weather crops for a harvest in the fall, but also about improving home-and-garden aesthetics by incorporating plants like Texsel greens and oriental salad leaves, enhancing the overall lifestyle and aesthetic appeal.
- While August is perfect for sowing fast-growing crops, it's essential to remember that planning and caring for these plants properly, such as regularly watering, thinning seedlings, and protecting them from pests and harsh sunlight, are crucial for a successful food-and-drink harvest and garden lifestyle.
