What Seeds to Sow in August in Northern Europe (Cool Summer Climates)
August is a transition month in northern Europe and other cool-summer climates. The most reliable sowings are quick salad crops, spinach, leafy vegetables, radishes, oriental greens, hardy herbs and selected crops for autumn, winter or spring. Flower sowing now is mainly about hardy annuals, biennials and perennials that will establish before winter and flower next year.
Shop Seeds for August Sowing in Northern Europe
Flowers to Sow in August for Next Year
In cool northern climates, August flower sowing is mainly for next season. Hardy annuals can be sown toward the end of the month, while biennials and perennials are best started early in August so they have time to establish before winter.
Calendula
Calendula is a dependable hardy annual for late-summer or autumn sowing. Try Ivory Princess, Funky Stuff or Bull's Eye for earlier flowers next year.
Browse calendula seeds →Cornflowers
Cornflowers are well suited to autumn-style sowing in cool climates. Recommended choices include Cornflower Mix, Blue Boy and Black Ball.
Browse cornflower seeds →Nigella
Nigella can be direct-sown into a weed-free, well-drained bed for flowers and decorative seed pods next year. Sow Miss Jekyll Skyblue or Miss Jekyll Rose.
Browse nigella seeds →Poppies
Hardy poppies are a useful choice for late-summer and autumn sowing. Sow directly where they are to flower, because poppies dislike root disturbance. Use a fine seedbed and avoid waterlogged ground.
Browse poppy seeds →Linum & Night-Scented Stock
Linum Grandiflorum Mix and Night-Scented Stock Starlight can be tried as hardy annual sowings in sheltered, free-draining gardens.
Browse stock seeds →Pansies
Pansies are best sown in early August in modules or trays. Grow the young plants in a bright, protected position and use them for autumn, spring or container colour according to local winter conditions.
Browse pansy seeds →Hollyhocks & Lunaria
Early August is the final practical window for sowing many biennials in cool climates. Start hollyhocks and lunaria in modules, then overwinter small plants in a sheltered position.
Browse hollyhock seeds →Delphiniums
Delphiniums may still be started in early August for next year's garden. Use trays or modules, protect seedlings from slugs and keep young plants sheltered during their first winter.
Browse delphinium seeds →Wildflower Mixtures
Where the soil is prepared and weed-free, hardy wildflower mixtures can be sown from late summer into autumn. Autumn-sown plants often flower earlier than spring sowings, although exposed gardens may need fleece during severe cold.
View wildflower mixture →Set the Right Expectation
Most flowers sown in August in northern Europe are not intended to bloom the same year. The aim is to establish roots and young foliage before winter so plants can flower earlier and more strongly next season.
Quick Vegetables to Sow in August
Choose crops that germinate rapidly, tolerate cooler weather and can be harvested as baby leaves or small roots. Sow early in the month at higher latitudes, and use a greenhouse, cold frame, cloche or fleece where autumn arrives quickly.
Spinach Renegade
Organic Spinach Renegade is a fast, cold-tolerant leafy crop suited to late-summer sowing. Harvest baby leaves first, or protect plants for a longer autumn season.
View spinach seeds →Rocket Esmee
Organic Rocket Esmee grows quickly as temperatures begin to cool. Sow small batches for tender leaves and protect later sowings from heavy rain, slugs and early frost.
View rocket seeds →Lettuce Salad Bowl
Organic Lettuce Salad Bowl is useful for cut-and-come-again leaves. Sow early in August outdoors, or later under cover for a protected autumn crop.
View lettuce seeds →Radish Cherry Belle
Organic Radish Cherry Belle is one of the quickest August crops. Sow thinly in the first half of the month and harvest promptly while roots are small and crisp.
View radish seeds →Pak Choi Taisai
Organic Pak Choi Taisai benefits from cooler late-summer conditions and shortening days. Sow directly or in modules, then harvest as baby leaves or compact heads.
View pak choi seeds →Chard Fireworks
Organic Chard Fireworks can be sown in early August for baby leaves, autumn picking or protected overwintering. It is productive in beds and deep containers.
View chard seeds →Welsh Onion Ishikura
Organic Welsh Onion Ishikura Long White is useful for late-summer sowing and can be harvested young or grown on for later use.
View Welsh onion seeds →Peas — Mild Areas Only
In mild, sheltered gardens, very early August is the last chance for a quick pea crop. Try Snow Pea Norli or Snow Pea Sweet Horizon, but skip this sowing in short, exposed seasons.
View pea seeds →Beetroot & Carrots — Limited Window
At lower northern latitudes, an early-August sowing of Beetroot Boro or Carrot Nantes may produce baby roots. In Scandinavia and exposed areas, the season is usually too short.
View beetroot seeds →Autumn & Winter Crops to Start in August
August is an important month for winter salads and hardy leafy crops. Choose varieties that tolerate cold, sow before light levels fall too far and protect young seedlings from slugs, birds and prolonged wet weather.
Curly Kale Westland Winter
Curly Kale Westland Winter is a hardy choice for early-August sowing. Start in modules and plant out promptly so seedlings establish before cold weather.
View winter kale seeds →Kale Nero Di Toscana
Kale Nero Di Toscana can be sown early in the month for baby leaves and, in milder or protected gardens, later autumn harvests.
View kale seeds →Spinach for Autumn
Sow Spinach Renegade in batches. Early sowings can crop in autumn, while later plants may overwinter under fleece, cloches or an unheated greenhouse.
View spinach seeds →Pak Choi & Oriental Greens
Pak Choi Taisai is especially useful as days shorten. Cool conditions reduce bolting, and plants can be harvested young if winter arrives early.
View pak choi seeds →Chard for Baby Leaves
Chard Fireworks can provide colourful baby leaves in autumn and may survive winter in sheltered or protected conditions.
View chard seeds →Winter Salad Containers
Combine Rocket Esmee, Spinach Renegade and Lettuce Salad Bowl in pots or window boxes for repeated young-leaf harvests.
Browse vegetable seeds →Long-Season Brassicas
Brussels sprouts, large winter cabbages, cauliflower and romanesco usually need to be sown earlier than August in northern Europe. In most cool regions, use established young plants rather than starting these crops from seed now.
Herbs to Sow in August
Cooler late-summer weather suits leafy herbs that dislike heat. Sow quick herbs outdoors early in the month, and use trays, a greenhouse or a bright windowsill for slower herbs intended for next year.
Coriander is less likely to bolt as temperatures cool. Sow small batches and harvest leaves young.
Parsley can be sown in early August for young plants that may overwinter under protection.
Dill can still be sown early in the month for quick foliage, especially in mild or sheltered gardens.
Lemon balm may be started in trays for planting out next spring. Keep small seedlings sheltered through winter.
Thyme is slow from seed, so sow in modules and protect young plants rather than expecting an outdoor autumn harvest.
Sage can be started under cover for next year. Give seedlings bright light and avoid overwatering.
Basil Needs Indoor Warmth
Basil Dark Opal is generally too late for outdoor sowing in northern Europe. Sow only if you can provide a warm, bright indoor position or heated greenhouse.
Easy to Grow & Small-Space Friendly
August sowing can be especially useful on balconies and patios because containers are easy to move under cover. Choose quick leaves, compact vegetables and hardy flowers rather than crops that need a long, warm season.
Best Autumn Salad Pots
Spinach Renegade, Rocket Esmee, Lettuce Salad Bowl and Radish Cherry Belle.
Best Leafy Crops for Containers
Pak Choi Taisai, Chard Fireworks, Kale Nero Di Toscana and Welsh Onion Ishikura.
Best Herbs for Small Spaces
Coriander, Parsley Italian Giant and Dill are practical for pots near the kitchen.
Best Flowers for Pots
Calendula Ivory Princess, Cornflower Blue Boy, Nigella Skyblue and pansies.
Easiest Beginner Vegetables
Radish Cherry Belle, Rocket Esmee, Spinach Renegade and Chard Fireworks.
Easiest Beginner Flowers
Calendula Funky Stuff, Cornflower Mix, Nigella Skyblue and hardy poppies.
Seeds Usually Too Late to Sow Outdoors in August
Northern European seasons vary, but these crops generally need more warmth or growing time than an August outdoor sowing can provide. Existing plants may still crop well; the warning applies to starting new plants from seed.
Tender Summer Vegetables
Courgettes, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, pumpkins and squash are normally too late to start from seed outdoors. Concentrate on caring for existing plants instead.
French Beans
Beans need warm soil and a reliable frost-free period. An August sowing is risky in most of northern Europe and is only worth attempting under cover in an unusually mild location.
Fast Summer Flowers
Sunflowers, cosmos, zinnias, marigolds, dahlias and most tender annuals are unlikely to flower well from an August sowing in cool climates. Save the seed for spring.
Long-Season Brassicas
Brussels sprouts, winter cabbage, cauliflower and romanesco usually need an earlier start. Use young plants if you still want to fill gaps.
Maincrop Roots
Maincrop carrots and beetroot are generally too late in colder regions. Early-August sowings may still work for baby roots in milder areas, but results depend strongly on latitude and autumn weather.
Outdoor Basil
Basil needs warmth and strong light. Keep it indoors or in a heated greenhouse rather than sowing outdoors in a northern August.
August Gardening Tips
Success in August depends on sowing promptly, choosing cold-tolerant varieties and protecting young plants as daylight and temperatures begin to fall.
The farther north you garden, the more important the first half of August becomes.
Trays and modules protect seedlings from slugs, birds, heavy rain and crowded beds.
Look for descriptions such as hardy, autumn, winter, overwintering or fast-maturing.
Late-summer soil can dry quickly, so water gently and consistently until seedlings establish.
Have fleece, cloches, a cold frame or greenhouse space ready before cold nights arrive.
Shop Seeds for August Gardening
Quick salads, hardy leafy crops, herbs and flowers for next year are the strongest choices for August sowing in northern and cool-summer gardens.