What Seeds to Sow in August in Mediterranean Climates
August is a transition month in Mediterranean gardens. Early in the month, there is still time to sow fast, heat-tolerant flowers for autumn colour. As temperatures begin to ease, it's a great time to start vegetables for autumn and winter harvests, along with hardy flowers that will bloom through winter or the following spring.
Shop Mediterranean Climate Seeds for August
Flowers to Sow in Early August for Autumn Colour
Fast-growing, heat-tolerant annuals can still provide colour before the end of the year in warm Mediterranean areas. For the best results, sow during the first half of August and keep young seedlings evenly watered while they establish.
Zinnias
Zinnias grow quickly in warm soil and are among the strongest choices for an early-August sowing. Recommended varieties include Dwarf Zinnia Thumbelina Mix, Whirlygig Mix, Queen Lime Blotch, Benary Giant Salmon Rose and Cresto Peaches and Cream.
Browse all zinnia seeds →Marigolds
Reliable, fast-growing flowers for sunny beds, containers and companion planting. Choose Marigold Durango Flame or Marigold Burning Embers.
Browse marigold seeds →Sunflowers
Sow during early August and choose faster or more manageable varieties such as Sunflower Sunspot, Cutting Gold, Taiyo and Velvet Queen.
Browse sunflower seeds →Portulaca Double Mix
Portulaca Double Mix is especially well suited to hot, sunny and dry positions. Its compact growth makes it useful for pots, balcony planters, patios and edging.
Browse portulaca seeds →Gomphrena
Gomphrena enjoys summer warmth and produces long-lasting flowers for the garden, cutting and drying. Choose Gomphrena Salmon, Purple or White.
Browse gomphrena seeds →Salvia Reddy Bright Red
Salvia Reddy Bright Red produces vivid red flowers for sunny beds and containers. Keep young seedlings protected from the harshest afternoon sun until established.
Browse salvia seeds →Helichrysum Bracteatum Mix
Helichrysum Bracteatum Mix is a warm-season flower with papery blooms that can be enjoyed fresh or dried for arrangements.
Browse helichrysum seeds →For the Best Chance of Autumn Flowers
Sow during the first half of August, water consistently and provide temporary afternoon shade while seedlings are young. Results will be strongest in warm Mediterranean areas with a long autumn and mild first frosts.
Flowers to Sow in Late August for Winter and Spring
As the strongest summer heat begins to ease, hardy annual flowers can be sown for cooler-season growth. Some may flower during a mild Mediterranean winter, while others will establish through autumn and produce their main display the following spring.
Calendula
Easy, productive flowers for sunny beds and containers. Recommended varieties include Calendula Ivory Princess, Funky Stuff and Bull’s Eye.
Browse calendula seeds →Cornflowers
Autumn-sown cornflowers establish during the cooler months and provide an early display the following season. Choose Cornflower Blue Boy, Black Ball or Cornflower Mix.
Browse cornflower seeds →Nigella
An easy hardy annual with delicate flowers and decorative seed pods. Recommended varieties include Nigella Miss Jekyll Skyblue, Miss Jekyll Rose and Nigella Sativa.
Browse nigella seeds →California Poppies
Well suited to sunny, free-draining Mediterranean gardens. Recommended varieties include Thai Silk Formula Mix, Thai Silk Rose Chiffon, Apricot Chiffon and XL Jelly Beans.
Browse California poppy seeds →Annual Poppies
Sow directly where the plants will grow, as poppies dislike root disturbance. Recommended varieties include Poppy Amazing Grey, Lauren’s Grape, Dawn Chorus, Purple Peony and Black Peony.
Browse poppy seeds →Cerinthe Pride of Gibraltar
Cerinthe Pride of Gibraltar is an architectural hardy annual with blue-purple bracts. It suits sunny, free-draining borders and pollinator-friendly planting.
Browse cerinthe seeds →Scabiosa
Excellent for cottage-style planting, pollinators and cut flowers. Recommended varieties include Scabiosa Black Knight, Oxford Blue, Fata Morgana, Summer Fruits and Scabiosa Mix.
Browse scabiosa seeds →Night-Scented Stock Starlight
Night-Scented Stock Starlight is valued for its evening fragrance. Sow as temperatures begin to cool, near patios, windows or garden seating areas.
Browse stock seeds →Pansies
Start pansies in trays or modules in a cool, bright position. Choose Pansy Swiss Giants Mix, Inspire Plus Marina or Inspire Plus White.
Browse pansy seeds →Wait for Temperatures to Ease
In the hottest Mediterranean regions, wait until late August or early September before sowing this group. Small or delicate seeds can be started in trays placed in a bright, protected position away from intense afternoon sun.
Flowers to Sow Now for Next Year
Hollyhocks and lunaria are slower-growing plants. Sow them as conditions begin to cool so they can establish foliage and roots before producing their main flower display the following year.
Hollyhocks
Tall, traditional flowers for walls, fences and the backs of borders. Recommended varieties include Hollyhock Chater’s Double Mix, Chater’s Maroon, Chater’s White and Hollyhock Nigra.
Browse hollyhock seeds →Lunaria
Lunaria, also known as honesty, produces spring flowers followed by distinctive translucent seed pods. Choose Lunaria Violet or Lunaria White.
Browse lunaria seeds →Vegetables to Start in August
August is an important month for starting vegetables for autumn and winter harvests. Root crops and quick leafy vegetables can usually be sown directly, while brassicas are easier to start in trays protected from the strongest summer heat.
Sow Directly
Sow these crops directly into prepared beds, raised beds or suitable containers. In very hot areas, leafy crops are best started during the second half of August or in a position with some afternoon shade.
Organic Chard Fireworks
A colourful and productive leafy crop that can be harvested repeatedly through autumn and winter. Keep the seedbed evenly moist during germination.
View chard seeds →Organic Red Beetroot Boro F1
A useful autumn crop grown for its sweet roots and edible young leaves. Sow directly and thin the seedlings as they develop.
View red beetroot seeds →Organic Yellow Beetroot Boldor
A colourful golden beetroot for autumn harvesting. Prepare loose soil, water consistently and avoid allowing the seedbed to dry out.
View yellow beetroot seeds →Organic Carrot Nantes
Sow carrots directly into loose, stone-free soil because their roots do not transplant well. Keep the surface moist until germination.
View carrot seeds →Organic Fennel Géant Mammouth Perfection
A useful crop for autumn production. Sow where it will grow and provide steady moisture to encourage even bulb development.
View fennel seeds →Organic Welsh Onion Ishikura Long White
A versatile onion-family crop for beds, raised beds and deeper containers. Sow directly for later autumn and winter harvests.
View Welsh onion seeds →Organic Rocket Esmee
Rocket grows quickly as temperatures begin to ease. In the hottest regions, sow later in August or choose a position protected from the strongest afternoon sun.
View rocket seeds →Organic Radish Cherry Belle
A fast-growing root crop for late-summer and autumn sowing. Water evenly to encourage tender roots and reduce heat stress.
View radish seeds →Organic Lettuce Oakleaf Salad Bowl
A cut-and-come-again lettuce for cooler positions and late-August sowing. It can also be started in modules if open soil remains very hot.
View lettuce seeds →Organic Spinach Renegade
Best sown during late August or early September in the hottest Mediterranean areas. Choose a cool position and maintain steady moisture.
View spinach seeds →Direct-Sowing Tip
In very hot gardens, delay lettuce, rocket, radish and spinach until the second half of August. Lightly shade the seedbed and do not allow the soil surface to dry out while the seeds are germinating.
Sow in Trays
Start these crops in seed trays, modules or small pots. Keep them in bright light while protecting them from intense afternoon sun, then transplant once seedlings are sturdy and outdoor temperatures begin to ease.
Organic Kale Nero Di Toscana
A productive leafy crop for autumn and winter harvesting. Start in trays and transplant when seedlings have developed several true leaves.
View kale seeds →Organic Curly Kale Westland Winter
A hardy curly kale for cooler-season production. Protect the trays from intense heat and maintain consistent moisture.
View curly kale seeds →Organic Red Curly Kale Roter Grünkohl
A colourful kale with finely curled foliage. Start in modules for transplanting into beds or larger containers as temperatures fall.
View red kale seeds →Organic Broccoli Belstar
Begin in trays under shade for transplanting into the autumn garden. Keep seedlings growing steadily without allowing the compost to dry.
View broccoli seeds →Organic Broccoli Bobby
A useful broccoli variety for autumn cropping. Start in modules and transplant after the strongest summer heat has passed.
View broccoli seeds →Organic Cauliflower Flora Blanca
Start cauliflower in modules or small pots and maintain steady moisture. Transplant into fertile soil once conditions become milder.
View cauliflower seeds →Organic Romanesco Veronica
Romanesco needs time to develop, making August a useful month to begin sowing. Start in trays and transplant carefully into prepared soil.
View romanesco seeds →Organic White Cabbage Langedijker Bewaar
A cabbage variety for autumn and winter production. Start in trays and protect young seedlings from extreme heat.
View cabbage seeds →Organic Brussel Sprouts Groninger
A longer-season crop that benefits from an early protected start. Transplant into open soil once seedlings are sturdy and temperatures begin to fall.
View Brussels sprouts seeds →Organic Pak Choi Taisai
Start in trays during late August in the hottest areas. Earlier sowings may struggle or bolt if exposed to prolonged extreme heat.
View pak choi seeds →Tray-Sowing Tip
Keep trays in bright light but protect them from intense afternoon sun. Shade cloth, a sheltered patio or a bright nursery area can help prevent heat stress while maintaining strong seedling growth.
Herbs to Sow in August
Parsley, coriander and dill become easier to establish as temperatures begin to ease. In hot Mediterranean gardens, sow them from later August in a cooler position and keep the compost consistently moist until germination.
Start parsley in a cooler position and keep the seed compost moist, as germination can take time.
Sow coriander from later August as temperatures ease to reduce the risk of premature flowering.
Sow dill directly or in a deep container in a bright position protected from the harshest afternoon heat.
Easy to Grow & Small-Space Friendly
These varieties are particularly useful for balconies, patios, containers, children and first-time gardeners. Choose pots with drainage holes and check moisture regularly during warm weather.
Best Flowers for Pots & Balconies
Dwarf Zinnia Thumbelina Mix, Portulaca Double Mix, Marigold Durango Flame, Salvia Reddy Bright Red, calendula from late August and pansies started in protected trays.
Best Vegetables for Containers
Chard Fireworks, Rocket Esmee, Radish Cherry Belle, Lettuce Salad Bowl, Welsh Onion Ishikura and Beetroot Boro.
Easiest Beginner Flowers
Dwarf Zinnia Thumbelina Mix, Marigold Durango Flame, Sunflower Sunspot, Portulaca Double Mix and calendula from late August.
Easiest Beginner Vegetables
Chard Fireworks, Radish Cherry Belle, Rocket Esmee, Lettuce Salad Bowl and Beetroot Boro.
August Gardening Tips
August sowing in Mediterranean climates requires careful timing. Use the beginning of the month for fast summer flowers, then move toward cool-season vegetables and hardy flowers as temperatures begin to fall.
Flowers intended to bloom this year should ideally be sown during the first half of August.
Delay spinach, lettuce, rocket and hardy flower sowings if the soil remains extremely hot.
Start brassicas in bright light with protection from intense afternoon sun.
Newly sown beds, pots and seed trays can dry very quickly during warm weather.
August sowings may produce autumn flowers, winter vegetables or flowers the following spring.
Shop Seeds for August Gardening
Explore flowers, vegetables and herbs selected for late-summer sowing, autumn harvests and spring flowers in Mediterranean climates.