As the dog days of summer begin to wane and the cooler breezes of fall start to make their presence felt, gardeners in the Northeast have a unique opportunity. Late August is a pivotal time to make the most of the remaining growing season while preparing for the cool-season crops that thrive as temperatures drop.
Assessing Your Garden’s Condition
Before diving into new plantings, take stock of your current garden. By late August, summer crops like tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers might be winding down. Remove any plants that are past their prime to make room for fresh plantings. This is also a good time to amend your soil with compost or organic fertilizers, replenishing nutrients that have been depleted over the summer.
What to Plant in Late August
In the Northeast, late August is the perfect time to plant cool-season vegetables that can mature as the weather cools. Here are some top picks:
- Leafy Greens:
- Spinach: Spinach thrives in the cooler temperatures of fall and can be harvested well into October.
- Lettuce: Planting lettuce now gives you a bountiful supply of crisp greens for salads throughout the fall.
- Kale: Kale is exceptionally hardy and can survive even after the first frost, making it an excellent choice for late planting.
- Root Vegetables:
- Radishes: Radishes grow quickly and can be harvested in as little as 25-30 days, perfect for a late-season crop.
- Beets: Beets can tolerate cooler temperatures and can be harvested before the ground freezes.
- Carrots: Carrots planted now can develop their sweet flavor as the weather cools, providing a tasty harvest in the fall.
- Brassicas:
- Broccoli: If you plant broccoli now, you can enjoy a late fall harvest. Broccoli is frost-tolerant and thrives in cooler weather.
- Cabbage: Like broccoli, cabbage benefits from the cooler temperatures and can be harvested even after a light frost.
- Herbs:
- Cilantro: Cilantro prefers cooler weather and can be planted in late August for a fall harvest.
- Parsley: Parsley is another herb that can handle cooler temperatures, making it a good candidate for late-season planting.
Tips for Late Summer Planting
- Start Indoors if Necessary: Some cool-season crops, like broccoli and cabbage, can benefit from being started indoors to give them a head start before transplanting them into the garden.
- Mulch: Mulching around your plants helps to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature, which is particularly important as the weather can be unpredictable in late summer.
- Watering: Although the temperatures are beginning to cool, August can still be hot and dry. Ensure your new plantings are well-watered to establish strong root systems
- Succession Planting: Consider succession planting—planting in intervals—to ensure a continuous harvest throughout the fall. For example, you can plant a new batch of lettuce every two weeks.
Preparing for Fall
Late August is also the time to start thinking about your fall gardening tasks. This includes planting cover crops to enrich your soil for next season, cleaning up garden debris to prevent pests and diseases, and planning your spring garden.
Embracing the Changing Season
Gardening in the Northeast in late August is a rewarding experience. With the right plants and care, you can extend your harvest well into the fall, enjoying fresh, homegrown vegetables even as the days grow shorter. Embrace the transition from summer to fall and savor the unique opportunities this time of year offers in the garden.
