What to Plant in August: UK Sowing Guide
What you can still sow and plant in a UK garden in August, from quick salad crops to autumn-flowering bulbs.
August feels late in the growing season, but it's far from over — there's still a good window for quick-maturing crops, and it's the month to start planning ahead for spring bulbs.
Vegetables to sow now
Focus on fast-maturing or cold-tolerant crops that can be harvested before or through the first frosts:
| Crop | Sow | Typical harvest | |---|---|---| | Spring cabbage | Now, direct or modules | Following spring | | Spinach | Now, direct | 6–8 weeks | | Winter/cut-and-come-again lettuce | Now, direct | 6–8 weeks | | Pak choi & oriental leaves | Now, direct | 4–6 weeks | | Turnips | Now, direct | 6–10 weeks | | Spring onions | Now, direct | 8–10 weeks | | Land cress | Now, direct | 5–6 weeks |
Sow direct where possible in August — the soil is still warm, which speeds germination compared with spring sowings, but keep new sowings well watered since August soil dries out fast between rain.
Herbs
Coriander, dill and parsley can still be sown now for a late-season crop, though growth will slow as day length shortens through September.
Get ahead on spring bulbs
August is early to actually plant most spring bulbs, but it's the right time to order and plan. Daffodil bulbs go in from September, and buying early (rather than waiting until October/November) usually gets you the best stock before the popular varieties sell through. See our full guide to planting daffodil bulbs for timing and planting depth.
! Don't plant tulip bulbs yet, even though they're often on shelves alongside daffodils in August — tulips specifically do best planted in November, after the first frosts, to reduce the risk of tulip fire disease.
Lawn care in August
If the UK is having a dry spell (common in August), let the lawn go a little longer between cuts and raise the mower's cutting height — shorter grass stresses more in heat and drought. Avoid feeding a drought-stressed lawn; wait for rain to return before applying any lawn feed. See our cordless mower buying guide if you're shopping for a new mower for the rest of the season.
Watering priorities
During dry spells, prioritise:
- Anything newly planted or transplanted this year (shallow roots, most vulnerable)
- Fruiting vegetables (tomatoes, courgettes, beans) — inconsistent watering causes blossom end rot and split fruit
- Containers and hanging baskets, which dry out fastest of all
Established shrubs, trees and lawns can generally cope with short dry spells without intervention.
This month's checklist
- Sow quick salad and brassica crops for an autumn harvest
- Keep new sowings consistently watered
- Order daffodil bulbs ahead of September planting
- Raise the mower height and ease off lawn feed during dry spells
- Prioritise watering for anything newly planted or in containers