August in Zone 9 might still feel like the peak of summer, but trust me, it’s one of the most important months for gardening.
I know it’s hot, you’re sweating, and you might be thinking, is it even a good time to plant anything? But the good news is, this hot month is actually one of the best time to start planting for a big fall harvest. If you pick the right plants now, you'll enjoy a great fall harvest and get a colorful garden during cooler weather.
I have spent the last few weeks reading gardening books, scrolling garden forums, and talking to experienced gardeners — and based on everything I have learned, I have put together this article.
I have categorized everything into five easy-to-follow categories, to make things simple and easy to understand.
- Leafy Greens
- Vegetables
- Fruits & Berries
- Flowers
- Herbs
Stay with me till the end of this guide and I promise you’ll plant smarter, harvest earlier, and smile at those who wait until September to get started. So get ready to beat the heat and get growing.
Leafy Greens
Planting leafy greens in August may sound crazy in the Zone 9 heat, but trust me, it’s actually a smart move for getting a fresh, healthy fall harvest.
Just pick the right leafy green varieties that can handle heat, sprout fast in warm soil, and grow well as the weather starts to cool down in early fall.
| Leafy Green | Best Planting Time | Planting Method | Transplanting Time | First Harvest | Variety Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lettuce | Late August | Start indoors / direct sow | 3–4 weeks after sowing | 45–55 days | Buttercrunch, Black-Seeded Simpson |
| Spinach | Mid–Late August | Direct sow | Not required | 35–45 days | Bloomsdale Long-Standing, Space |
| Swiss Chard | Whole of August | Direct sow / transplants | 3–4 weeks after sowing | 55–65 days | Bright Lights, Fordhook Giant |
| Kale | Mid–Late August | Start indoors | 4–6 weeks after sowing | 50–65 days | Lacinato (Dinosaur), Red Russian |
| Mustard Greens | August | Direct sow | Not required | 30–40 days | Southern Giant Curled, Mizuna |
| Arugula | Throughout August | Direct sow | Not required | 25–35 days | Rocket, Astro |
| Collard Greens | Mid–Late August | Start indoors / direct sow | 4–6 weeks after sowing | 60–80 days | Georgia Southern, Vates |
| Tatsoi | Late August | Direct sow | Not required | 30–45 days | Rosette Tatsoi, Yukina Savoy |
Zone 9 gets really hot in August, so start your seeds in a shady spot (or cover them with shade cloth) to help them sprout properly and stop them from bolting. Also keep the soil slightly wet during the first few weeks, and use mulch so the soil doesn’t dry out quickly.
Pick the outer leaves regularly so the plant continues growing fresh leaves.
Plant a few seeds every 2–3 weeks so you can keep picking fresh greens all through the fall.
Vegetables
August is a strategic planting month in Zone 9. It’s your last chance to sow quick-growing summer vegetables from seed, and also the perfect time to start planting cool-weather vegetables.
The warm soil of August helps heat-loving vegetables grow strong. Just pick the Varieties that can handle the summer heat and grow quickly before winter frost comes.
| Vegetable | Best Planting Time | Planting Method | Transplanting Time | First Harvest | Variety Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beans (Bush & Pole) | Early–Mid August | Direct sow | Not required | 50–65 days | Contender, Kentucky Wonder |
| Beets | Mid–Late August | Direct sow | Not required | 55–70 days | Detroit Dark Red, Chioggia |
| Carrots | Mid–Late August | Direct sow | Not required | 70–80 days | Danvers 126, Nantes |
| Cucumbers | Early August | Start indoors / direct sow | 2–3 weeks after sowing | 50–60 days | Marketmore 76, Straight Eight |
| Okra | Early–Mid August | Direct sow | Not required | 55–65 days | Clemson Spineless, Jing Orange |
| Peas (Snap & Snow) | Late August | Direct sow | Not required | 60–70 days | Sugar Ann, Oregon Sugar Pod |
| Peppers | Early August | Transplants | Plant transplants early August | 60–75 days | California Wonder, Jalapeño |
| Pumpkins | Early August | Direct sow | Not required | 90–120 days | Jack-O-Lantern, Baby Pam |
| Radishes | Mid–Late August | Direct sow | Not required | 25–35 days | Cherry Belle, French Breakfast |
| Squash (Summer) | Early August | Direct sow | Not required | 45–55 days | Yellow Crookneck, Black Beauty Zucchini |
| Sweet Corn | Early August | Direct sow | Not required | 70–90 days | Honey Select, Golden Bantam |
| Tomatoes (Early types) | Early August | Transplants | Plant hardened transplants | 55–65 days | Early Girl, Celebrity |
| Turnips | Mid–Late August | Direct sow | Not required | 45–60 days | Purple Top White Globe |
Give your new plants some protection from the hot afternoon sun, like using shade cloth or keeping them under partial shade.
Also, put mulch (like dry leaves, straw, or wood chips) around them, this helps the soil stay cool and hold moisture so the plants don’t dry out quickly.
Fruits & Berries
August is a good time to plant perennial fruits because they can grow strong roots before fall. Planting now gives these long-lasting plants time to settle in, so they grow better and give you more fruit next season.
If you plant strawberries now, they will grow better and give you fruit earlier in the spring. You can also start tropical fruit plants like pineapple guava this month.
| Fruit/Berry | Best Planting Time | Planting Method | Transplanting Time | First Harvest (Approx.) | Variety Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strawberries | August (runners/transplants) | Transplant | N/A | Spring (4–6 months) | Chandler, Seascape, Albion |
| Pineapple Guava (Feijoa) | August–September | Container/Bare-root | N/A | 1–2 years | Coolidge, Pineapple Gem |
| Blackberries | August | Bare-root/Suckers | N/A | Next summer | Natchez, Kiowa, Apache |
| Blueberries | August (container plants) | Acid-loving container | N/A | 1–2 years | Sunshine Blue, Misty, Biloxi |
| Figs | August | Container-grown tree | N/A | 1–2 years | Brown Turkey, Celeste |
| Pomegranates | August–September | Bare-root/Container | N/A | 1–2 years | Wonderful, Parfianka |
| Goji Berries | August | Container-grown | N/A | ~1 year | Phoenix Tears, Crimson Star |
| Mulberries | August | Container-grown tree | N/A | 1–2 years | Pakistan, Black Beauty |
| Passionfruit | August | Seedling/Transplant | 2–3 weeks after planting | ~12 months | Frederick, Purple Possum |
| Jujube | August | Bare-root/Container | N/A | 1–2 years | Li, Lang, Honey Jar |
| Muscadine Grapes | August | Bare-root/Container | N/A | 1–2 years | Carlos, Fry, Noble |
| Banana | August | Tissue culture/Pup | 4–6 weeks after planting | 9–15 months | Dwarf Cavendish, Rajapuri |
| Papaya | August | Seedling | 4–6 weeks after planting | 6–12 months | Red Lady, Tainung |
Choose heat-tolerant varieties, and before planting, make sure the soil is loose, drains well, and is well mixed with compost.
Add mulch right after planting to keep the roots cool and moist. Water deeply, especially during hot weather. If it gets hotter than 95°F, give some shade to new plants.
If you take good care of them now, these fruit and berry plants will give you lots of harvests for many years.
Flowers to Plant in August
August in Zone 9 is usually hot and humid, but it's still a great time to plant flowers that love the heat. If you choose the right ones and plant them now, you will have a colorful and beautiful garden through fall and even into winter.
The table below shows the best flowers to plant in August in Zone 9, along with all the important information you need.
| Flower Name | Best Planting Time | Planting Method | Transplanting Time | First Bloom | Perennial or Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marigold | Early–Mid August | Direct sow / Transplant | After seedlings have 3–4 sets of true leaves | 6–8 weeks after planting | Annual |
| Zinnia | Early August | Direct sow | Not required (hates transplanting) | 5–7 weeks after planting | Annual |
| Cosmos | Early August | Direct sow | Not required | 7–8 weeks after planting | Annual |
| Celosia | Throughout August | Start indoors / Direct | When 4–6 inches tall | 6–8 weeks after planting | Annual |
| Sunflower | Early August | Direct sow | Not required | 8–10 weeks after planting | Annual |
| Gomphrena | Early–Mid August | Direct sow / Transplant | When 3–4 inches tall | 8–10 weeks after planting | Annual |
| Vinca (Periwinkle) | Mid–Late August | Transplant seedlings | Transplant directly into garden | 6–7 weeks after planting | Annual |
| Portulaca (Moss Rose) | Early–Mid August | Direct sow / Transplant | When seedlings are 2 inches tall | 6–8 weeks after planting | Annual |
| Salvia (Tender types) | Mid August | Start indoors / Transplant | When 4–6 inches tall | 8–10 weeks after planting | Tender Perennial (grown as Annual) |
| Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower) | Early August | Direct sow | Not required | 8–10 weeks after planting | Annual |
| Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan) | Anytime in August | Transplant nursery plants | Transplant directly into garden | Following summer (establish year 1) | Perennial |
| Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) | Mid August | Direct sow / Transplant | When 3–5 inches tall | Following summer | Short-lived Perennial |
| Coreopsis | Early–Mid August | Direct sow / Transplant | When 4–6 inches tall | Following summer | Perennial |
| Coneflower (Echinacea) | Anytime in August | Transplant nursery plants | Transplant directly into garden | Following summer | Perennial |
| Yarrow | Anytime in August | Transplant divisions | Transplant directly into garden | Following summer | Perennial |
| Russian Sage | Early August | Transplant nursery plants | Transplant directly into garden | Following summer | Perennial |
| Daylily | Early–Mid August | Transplant divisions | Transplant directly into garden | Following summer | Perennial |
Plant both warm-season and cool-season flowers together to make your garden look nice as summer changes to fall.
Use soil full of compost and water the plants well so they grow strong flowers and healthy roots.
Herbs
Planting herbs in August in Zone 9 is a great way to enjoy a strong and productive garden through the fall (and sometimes even winter). The trick is to pick herbs that love the heat, grow fast, and don’t mind strong sunlight.
Here are the best herbs to plant in August if you want bold flavor and long-lasting harvests.
| Herb | Best Planting Time | Planting Method | Transplanting Time | First Harvest | Variety Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Early–Mid August | Direct sow / Transplant | When seedlings have 3–4 true leaves | 4–6 weeks | Genovese, Thai, Lemon |
| Oregano | Whole of August | Transplant / Root division | After temps consistently above 70 °F | 6–8 weeks | Greek, Italian |
| Thyme | Early August | Transplants / Stem cuttings | Seedlings small but sturdy | 6–8 weeks | English, Lemon |
| Rosemary | Mid–Late August | Transplants / Woody stem cuttings | Transplant once roots are well-developed | 8–10 weeks | Tuscan Blue, Arp, Barbeque |
| Lemongrass | Early–Mid August | Rooted stalks / Division | After temps stay above 75 °F | 90–120 days | East Indian, West Indian |
| Chives | Late August | Direct sow / Transplant | Seedlings reach 4–6 inches tall | ~60 days | Common, Garlic Chives |
| Mexican Mint Marigold | August | Transplants / Cuttings | Nights remain above 70 °F | 6–8 weeks | Tagetes lucida |
| Curry Leaf Plant | August | Transplant / Rooted cuttings | Once soil is warm & temps >75 °F | 80–100 days | Murraya koenigii |
| Bay Laurel | August | Transplant potted starter plants | Plant is 6–8 inches tall | 6+ months | Laurus nobilis |
| Lemon Verbena | Early–Mid August | Transplants / Cuttings | ≈2 weeks after planting | 8–10 weeks | Aloysia citrodora |
These herbs are great options for handling the August heat and will continue to give you good harvests as the weather starts to cool down.
For best results, use soil mixed with compost, water your plants deeply in the early morning, and add organic mulch to help keep the soil moist.
