Plant vegetables in August and September according to climate and seed recommendations. Right conditions maximize growth and protect from first frost. Vegetables planted in late summer through early fall will harvest anytime from late autumn to early spring. Check with local agricultural extension services to verify seeding and transplanting vegetables appropriate to your region.

Significance

Factors to consider when planting vegetables in late summer include germination, growth and harvest. The website, Easy Vegetable Gardening, cautions that planting too early can cause seedlings to freeze, while planting too late can prevent harvest.

Conditions

Soil in August and September usually meet warm conditions necessary for germination. Easy Vegetable Gardening recommends that soil be at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit. When soil is colder, seedlings grow slowly and may be prone to diseases. Seeds such as marjoram, are frost sensitive and should not be sown close to frost events. Broccoli flourishes in cooler weather. Seed packets provide best starting and growing practices.

Types

Plant vegetables such as carrots and dwarf beans, which are suitable for sequential planting, over an extended time. Sweet corn has a brief planting opportunity, according to Easy Vegetable Gardening. Vegetables appropriate to plant in August and September include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bok toy, mustard greens and onions. According to Washington State University (WSU) Extension, seed broccoli until July and transplant until mid-August. Harvest broccoli through late November. You may be able to enjoy freshly harvested broccoli until Christmas. Look for shoots in mid- to late spring. Brussels sprouts require longer growing than broccoli. WSU recommends transplanting Brussels sprouts by August 1. Generally a fall crop, Brussels sprouts may extend into mid-winter. Mustard greens are a rapid growth crop. Seed mustard greens through September for fall harvest, according to WSU. Seed Chinese mustard (bok toy) no later than mid-August. Transplant onion seedlings in August for a fall crop. If you seed onions in August, they will harvest in spring. Other vegetables that can be seeded, transplanted or planted in August and September include cilantro, kale and collard greens.

Source:

Easy Vegetable Gardening: Optimum Planting Guide

Easy Vegetable Gardening

WSU Extension: Fall and Winter Vegetable Gardens