Planting Calendar for August 10–16, 2026: What to Sow and Plant in Late Summer
August is not only harvest time, but also a great opportunity to prepare your garden beds for the fall season and lay the groundwork for fresh greens until the first frost. From August 10 to 16, daylight hours gradually shorten, and nighttime temperatures become more favorable for growing cold-hardy plants. Plots of soil cleared of early vegetables can be effectively used for replanting or preparing for next year.
What to Sow and Plant This Week
In mid-August, leafy greens and root vegetables with short growing seasons show active growth. Moisture from summer rains and moderate sunlight promote rapid seed germination, making this the ideal time to replenish your vitamin stores.
- Herbs and lettuces: dill, parsley, spinach, arugula, and salad mustard quickly produce succulent greens and do not bolt as readily as they do in the spring.
- Early-maturing vegetables: Radishes, daikon radish, and early Beijing lettuce, when sown in August, produce large, tender roots without bitterness.
- Perennials and strawberries: This week is ideal for planting rooted strawberry runners, as well as sowing perennial onions and sorrel for the winter.
Soil Care and Preparation for Fall
Any open areas not intended for vegetable crops should definitely be sown with green manure crops. Phacelia, white mustard, and oats will help improve soil health, suppress weed growth, and enrich the soil with nitrogen and organic matter until next spring if they are plowed under in October. In addition, at the end of summer, it’s important to ensure that young seedlings are watered thoroughly, as the topsoil still dries out quickly under the midday sun.
Tips for Caring for Your Garden August 10–16
- Regularly loosen the soil and mulch between rows to retain moisture and protect the roots from overheating.
- Pinch off the tops of tall tomato plants and remove new flowers so the plant can direct all its energy toward ripening the fruit that has already formed.
- Apply phosphorus-potassium fertilizer to perennial shrubs and trees to help them prepare for winter frosts.
Planting in mid-August allows you to harvest an additional crop of fresh vegetables as early as September and October.
See also:
Lunar Planting Calendar for August 2026: When to Sow and Harvest
Winemaker’s Calendar for August 2026: What to Do and Which Fruits to Use for Wine
Fisherman’s Calendar for August 2026: Night Fishing Times and Changes in Fish Behavior
