Planting in Zone 10 in August can be exciting, but it needs some planning. The days are still very hot, but the nights may start to cool down a little. It's a good time to plant crops that love heat and also get ready for your fall harvest.
In Zone 10, the soil is warm, the sun gives a lot of light and energy for growth, and pests are slowing down. It's the perfect mix for planting. You just have to pick plants that can handle the heat now and keep growing as it slowly gets cooler.
I have read gardening books, extension guides, and even tips from experienced gardeners on forums to make this simple guide, so you will know exactly what to plant, when to plant it, and how to do it successfully.
I have organized everything into 5 different categories to make it simple and easy to understand.
- Leafy Greens
- Vegetables
- Fruits & Berries
- Flowers
- Herbs
For each plant type, I have added tables with exact planting times, methods, and harvest periods, so you can plant with confidence.
Leafy Greens
In Zone 10, August is a great time to plant leafy greens that can handle the summer heat and grow even better when it gets cooler.
Fast-growing greens like spinach and lettuce can be planted every couple of weeks so you have a steady supply to harvest.
| Leafy Green | Best Planting Time | Planting Method | Transplanting Time | First Harvest | Variety Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spinach | Mid to late August | Direct sow seeds in partial shade | 3–4 weeks after germination | 35–45 days | ‘Malabar Spinach’, ‘New Zealand Spinach’ |
| Swiss Chard | Early to mid-August | Direct sow or start indoors | 3–4 weeks after germination | 50–60 days | ‘Bright Lights’, ‘Fordhook Giant’ |
| Kale | Mid-August | Start seeds indoors or in shaded beds | 4–6 weeks after germination | 55–75 days | ‘Lacinato’, ‘Dwarf Blue Curled’ |
| Lettuce | Mid to late August | Direct sow or start in trays | 3–4 weeks after germination | 30–50 days | ‘Buttercrunch’, ‘Summer Bibb’ |
| Mustard Greens | Mid-August | Direct sow seeds | 3 weeks after germination | 30–40 days | ‘Southern Giant Curled’, ‘Red Giant’ |
| Collard Greens | Mid-August | Start seeds indoors or direct sow | 4–6 weeks after germination | 60–80 days | ‘Georgia Southern’, ‘Champion’ |
| Amaranth | Early to mid-August | Direct sow in well-drained soil | Not typically transplanted | 40–55 days | ‘Red Leaf Amaranth’, ‘Green Callaloo’ |
For the first two weeks, cover your plants with shade cloth in the hot afternoons so they don’t start flowering too early.
Vegetables
In Zone 10, August is a great time to plant quick-growing summer vegetables and warm-season crops. These will give you lots of harvest during the fall, and some might even keep producing into early winter.
| Vegetable | Best Planting Time | Planting Method | Transplanting Time | First Harvest | Variety Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corn (Sweet) | Early August | Direct sow seeds in blocks | Not required | 60–90 days | ‘Silver Queen’, ‘Golden Bantam’ |
| Eggplant | Early August | Start indoors or buy seedlings | 4–6 weeks after germination | 70–85 days | ‘Black Beauty’, ‘Ichiban’ |
| Peppers | Early August | Start indoors or buy seedlings | 6 weeks after germination | 60–90 days | ‘California Wonder’, ‘Jalapeño Early’ |
| Tomatoes | Early August | Start indoors or buy seedlings | 4–6 weeks after germination | 60–85 days | ‘Heatwave II’, ‘Sun Gold’ |
| Cucumbers | Early to mid-August | Direct sow or start indoors | 3 weeks after germination | 50–65 days | ‘Marketmore 76’, ‘Lemon Cucumber’ |
| Carrots | Early to mid-August | Direct sow seeds | Not required | 60–75 days | ‘Nantes’, ‘Danvers 126’ |
| Summer Squash | Early to mid-August | Direct sow seeds | Not required | 45–60 days | ‘Black Beauty Zucchini’, ‘Yellow Crookneck’ |
| Beets | Mid to late August | Direct sow seeds | Not required | 50–60 days | ‘Detroit Dark Red’, ‘Chioggia’ |
| Beans (Bush/Pole) | Early to late August | Direct sow seeds | Not required | 50–65 days | ‘Blue Lake’, ‘Kentucky Wonder’ |
| Okra | Early to late August | Direct sow seeds | Not required | 50–60 days | ‘Clemson Spineless’, ‘Red Burgundy’ |
Put a thick layer of mulch around your vegetables to help the soil stay moist and keep the roots cool when the late-summer heat hits.
Fruits & Berries
August in Zone 10 is a perfect time to plant tropical and subtropical fruits for future harvests. You can also start planting strawberries now for a harvest in winter or spring.
| Fruit/Berry | Best Planting Time | Planting Method | Transplanting Time | First Harvest | Variety Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melons | Early August | Direct sow seeds | Not required | 70–90 days | ‘Sugar Baby’ (watermelon), ‘Ambrosia’ (cantaloupe) |
| Passion Fruit | Early August | Plant cuttings or seedlings | Not required | 12–18 months | ‘Frederick’, ‘Purple Possum’ |
| Papaya | Early to mid-August | Plant seedlings or seeds | Not required | 6–12 months | ‘Solo’, ‘Red Lady’ |
| Dragon Fruit | Mid-August | Plant cuttings or seedlings | Not required | 12–18 months | ‘Vietnam White’, ‘Physical Graffiti’ |
| Mulberry | Mid-August | Plant cuttings or seedlings | Not required | 1–2 years | ‘Pakistan’, ‘Black Beauty’ |
| Fig | Mid to late August | Plant cuttings or seedlings | Not required | 1–2 years | ‘Black Mission’, ‘Kadota’ |
| Strawberry | Late August | Plant bare roots or seedlings | Not required | 3–4 months | ‘Seascape’, ‘Albion’ |
| Barbados Cherry | Late August | Plant seedlings or cuttings | Not required | 1–2 years | ‘Florida Sweet’, ‘B-17’ |
| Surinam Cherry | Late August | Plant seedlings or cuttings | Not required | 1–2 years | ‘Zill Dark’, ‘Vermillion’ |
| Natal Plum | Late August | Plant cuttings or seedlings | Not required | 1–2 years | ‘Boxwood Beauty’, ‘Compacta’ |
| Pineapple | Any time | Plant crowns or slips | Not required | 18–24 months | ‘Smooth Cayenne’, ‘Queen’ |
Keep the soil slightly moist and move pots or cover plants with shade cloth/umbrella during the hottest hours.
For pineapples and papayas, choose a sunny, wind-protected spot for best fruit quality.
Flowers
In Zone 10, August is the time for plants that love heat, like certain annual flowers and strong perennials that do well in the hot summer sun.
It's also the right month to start growing flowers that will bloom and add color in the fall.
| Flower Name | Best Planting Time | Planting Method | Transplanting Time | First Bloom | Perennial or Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marigolds | Early to late August | Direct sow or start indoors | 2–3 weeks after germination | 45–60 days | Annual |
| Zinnias | Early to mid-August | Direct sow seeds | Not required | 60–70 days | Annual |
| Sunflowers | Early August | Direct sow seeds | Not required | 60–80 days | Annual |
| Pentas | Early August | Start from cuttings or seedlings | Not required | 70–90 days | Perennial |
| Vinca (Periwinkle) | Early to mid-August | Direct sow or start indoors | 3–4 weeks after germination | 60–70 days | Annual |
| Celosia | Early to mid-August | Direct sow seeds | Not required | 60–70 days | Annual |
| Portulaca (Moss Rose) | Early to mid-August | Direct sow or use seedlings | Not required | 50–60 days | Annual |
| Lantana | Early August | Start from cuttings or seedlings | Not required | 60–90 days | Perennial |
| Pentas (Pentas lanceolata) | Early August | Start from cuttings or seedlings | Not required | 70–90 days | Perennial |
| Mexican Heather (Cuphea hyssopifolia) | Early to mid-August | Start from cuttings or seedlings | Not required | 60–75 days | Perennial |
| Salvia (Salvia spp.) | Early August | Direct sow or start indoors | 3–4 weeks after germination | 60–80 days | Perennial or Annual (varies) |
| Verbena (Verbena bonariensis) | Early to mid-August | Start from seedlings or cuttings | Not required | 60–90 days | Perennial |
Remove old, faded flowers from your plants so they can make new ones all the way until the late fall.
Herbs
Gardeners in Zone 10 can plant lots of herbs in August. Just pick herbs that can handle the heat, and they will grow well. Many of these herbs will keep growing even through the winter.
| Herb | Best Planting Time | Planting Method | Transplanting Time | First Harvest | Variety Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Early to late August | Direct sow or start indoors | 3–4 weeks after germination | 30–45 days | ‘Genovese’, ‘Thai Basil’ |
| Chives | Mid-August | Direct sow or start indoors | 4 weeks after germination | 60–80 days | ‘Garlic Chives’, ‘Common Chives’ |
| Cilantro | Mid to late August | Direct sow seeds | Not required | 30–45 days | ‘Slow Bolt’, ‘Calypso’ |
| Lemongrass | Any time | Plant stalks or divisions | Not required | 3–4 months | Common Lemongrass |
| Mint | Early to mid-August | Plant cuttings or divisions | Not required | 60–80 days | ‘Spearmint’, ‘Peppermint’ |
| Oregano | Early August | Start indoors or plant cuttings | 4 weeks after germination | 60–90 days | ‘Greek Oregano’ |
| Parsley | Mid to late August | Direct sow or start indoors | 3–4 weeks after germination | 70–90 days | ‘Italian Flat Leaf’, ‘Curly’ |
| Rosemary | Any time | Plant cuttings or seedlings | Not required | 90–120 days | ‘Tuscan Blue’, ‘Arp’ |
| Thyme | Any time | Direct sow or plant cuttings | 4 weeks after germination | 80–90 days | ‘English Thyme’, ‘Lemon Thyme’ |
Most herbs prefer to be directly sown or started indoors in late summer (August), but some herbs like lemongrass, rosemary, and thyme can be planted any time.
You usually need to move (transplant) the young plants after 3–4 weeks, but some herbs don’t need this step. Planting at the right time helps you get a good harvest faster.
Grow mint and oregano in pots so they don't spread everywhere and take over your garden.
