In Southern California, August is a great time to plant and prepare for both warm-season and cool-season crops. Here are some ideal plant options for August in this region: Vegetables to plant:
- Beans (bush and pole)
- Cucumbers (vine and bush varieties)
- Kale (such as Red Russian, Dwarf Siberian)
- Lettuce (early harvest varieties)
- Peas (green peas and sugar peas)
- Radishes (fast-growing varieties)
- Spinach (cool-weather varieties)
- Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kohlrabi, potatoes (can be started indoors or sown late August for fall harvest)
- Carrots, chard, eggplant, peppers, pumpkins (warm-season crops)
- Potatoes (both planting and harvesting)
Herbs for August planting:
- Basil (transplant seedlings)
- Chives
- Fennel
- Lavender
- Lemon verbena
- Mint
- Nasturtium
- Oregano
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Sweet marjoram
- Thyme
Flowers and companion plants:
- Marigolds
- Alyssum
- Snapdragons
- Bachelor buttons
- Borage
- Pansy
- Salvia
- Sunflower
- Viola
- Yarrow
- Zinnias
Additional suggestions:
- Start cover crops like alfalfa, fava beans, crimson clover to enrich soil
- Plant subtropical fruit trees like citrus, avocado, passion fruit (transplants)
- Practice companion planting with herbs and flowers to attract pollinators and reduce pests
August is a transitional month in Southern California gardens: while harvesting warm-season crops, you can start planting cool-season crops for a fall and winter harvest. Some seeds like broccoli and cauliflower may benefit from starting indoors in trays before transplanting later in the season to protect them from August heat. Overall, August planting in Southern California offers a great opportunity to extend your gardening season with a mix of warm and cool season vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruit trees. Proper watering and pest management remain important during the hot days of August to ensure healthy plant growth.
