In August , the vegetable garden is in full swing: a bumper crop and still plenty of room to sow for fall and winter . This is the month for eating, preserving, and planning ahead. The soil is often moist and warm enough, ideal for seeds to germinate and grow well.

The soil is warm due to the summer temperatures of June and July, which promotes faster seed germination. June is important for preparing the vegetable garden and maintaining moist soil, so you can sow optimally in August.

August is an excellent month for sowing and offers many opportunities for the vegetable garden: you can sow various flowers, herbs, and vegetables now for harvesting later in the season, or you can prepare your garden for the fall or next spring. This calendar shows you what you can grow, sow , harvest , use, and prepare in August. Later in the article, you'll find practical tips for successful sowing and care in August. Preparatory work, such as weeding and adding compost, helps prepare the soil optimally for sowing.

• 🪏 Endive – autumn and winter cultivation , grow now for heads later in the year.

• 🪏🪟 Arugula – normal and winter cultivation , outdoors or under glass.

• 🪏 Lettuce – Autumn cultivation : choose robust varieties (e.g., cos lettuce, oak leaf lettuce, and cut-your-own lettuce). Lettuce and cut-your-own lettuce grow best in a spot with plenty of sun or full sun.

• 🪏 Sowing spinach – autumn cultivation , prefers a cooler spot/light shade. Spinach also grows well in partial shade. Sowing spinach from mid-August is ideal, as the soil is still warm and moist for good germination.

• 🪏 Lamb's lettuce – in the open ground , perfect for autumn and early winter. Lamb's lettuce thrives in partial shade. Mid-August is also an excellent time to sow lamb's lettuce.

• 🪏 Swiss Chard – still easy to sow for a long autumn harvest.

• 🪏 Winter purslane – ideal for sowing in August for an autumn and winter harvest; winter purslane is winter-hardy and grows quickly, even at lower temperatures.

When sowing leafy vegetables, remember the importance of germination: the soil must be warm and moist enough for the seeds to germinate well and get off to a strong start. The warm soil due to the summer temperatures of June and July promotes faster germination. Some leafy vegetables can be sown until the end of August, allowing you to enjoy a fresh harvest for longer.

Some leafy vegetables, such as spinach and lamb's lettuce, also grow well in pots. This is useful if you have limited space or want to protect the plants from inclement weather.

Sow in warm weather in the evening and keep the seedbeds moist until germination. Water in the early morning or late evening to prevent seeds from being washed away.