What Seeds to Sow in August in Temperate European Climates
August marks the transition from summer sowing to autumn growing. Sow fast-growing flowers at the beginning of the month for late colour, then begin salads and leafy vegetables for autumn and winter harvests. As temperatures ease, hardy flowers can also be sown for winter colour and earlier flowers next spring.
Shop Seeds for August Sowing
Flowers to Sow in August
August flower sowing has two purposes. Sow fast-growing annuals at the very beginning of the month for possible late-season colour, then begin hardy annuals and cool-season flowers as temperatures ease for autumn, winter and spring displays.
Flowers for Late Colour
Sow these as early in August as possible and choose a warm, sunny and sheltered position. Marigolds, calendula and compact sunflowers are the most dependable choices. Zinnias, cosmos and nasturtiums are most likely to flower before colder weather in southern, mild and sheltered parts of temperate Europe.
Zinnias
Any available zinnia can be tried at the beginning of August. Whirlygig Mix is a particularly colourful choice. Other available varieties include Dwarf Thumbelina Mix, Benary Giant Salmon Rose, Dahlia-Flowered Meteor, Isabellina, Illumination, Golden State, Cresto Mixed, Cresto Yellow, Cresto Violet, Cresto Red, Cresto Peaches and Cream and Cresto Crème.
Browse all zinnia seeds →Cosmos
All available cosmos varieties can be tried at the very beginning of August in a sunny, sheltered garden. Choose from Cosmos Bipinnatus Mix, Dwarf Purple Picotee, Sulphureus Crest Orange, Sea Shells Red, Double Dutch White, Double Dutch Rose, Fizzy Rose Picotee and Candyfloss Red.
Browse all cosmos seeds →Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are easy, edible and useful for pots, balconies and garden edges. Recommended varieties include Dwarf Nasturtium Ladybird Rose, Purple Emperor, Milkmaid, Sahin’s Paso Doble, Sahin’s Rumba and Tip Top Rose.
Browse nasturtium seeds →Marigolds
Fast-growing marigolds are among the strongest choices for a final sowing of late colour. Try Marigold Durango Flame or Marigold Burning Embers in beds, pots or companion-style planting.
Browse marigold seeds →Sunflowers
Sow promptly and give plants the warmest available position. Sunflower Sunspot is especially useful for containers and shorter growing windows. Other choices include Cutting Gold, Taiyo, Desert Sun, Velvet Queen, Ruby, Claret F1 and Buttercream F1.
Browse sunflower seeds →Calendula
Calendula is one of the most useful August flowers. Early sowings may provide late colour, while later sowings can establish for earlier flowers the following year. Choose Calendula Ivory Princess, Funky Stuff or Bull’s Eye.
Browse calendula seeds →Timing Matters
Sow late-colour flowers during the first week of August wherever possible. Results depend on the length and warmth of your autumn. Gardeners in cooler or more northerly areas should concentrate on marigolds, calendula and compact sunflowers.
Flowers for Autumn, Winter and Spring
Start pansies in trays for cool-season colour, then begin hardy annuals toward the end of August once the soil is cooler and moist. Where conditions remain hot or dry, wait until September before sowing hardy flowers outdoors.
Pansies
Start pansies in trays or modules and keep the compost cool and moist. They can provide autumn, winter or spring colour depending on local conditions. Choose Pansy Swiss Giants Mix, Inspire Plus Marina or Inspire Plus White.
Browse pansy seeds →Cornflowers
Autumn-sown cornflowers establish before winter and usually flower earlier the following year. Choose Cornflower Blue Boy, Black Ball or Cornflower Mix.
Browse cornflower seeds →Nigella
Nigella is an easy hardy annual for cottage gardens, pollinators and decorative seed pods. Recommended varieties include Nigella Miss Jekyll Skyblue, Miss Jekyll Rose and Nigella Sativa.
Browse nigella seeds →Annual Poppies
Sow poppies directly where they will flower, as their roots dislike disturbance. Recommended varieties include Poppy Amazing Grey, Lauren’s Grape, Dawn Chorus, Purple Peony and Black Peony.
Browse poppy seeds →California Poppies
California poppies suit sunny, free-draining soil and are best sown directly. Choose Thai Silk Formula Mix, Thai Silk Rose Chiffon, Apricot Chiffon or XL Jelly Beans.
Browse California poppy seeds →Cerinthe Pride of Gibraltar
Cerinthe Pride of Gibraltar is an architectural hardy annual with blue-purple bracts. It is useful for sunny borders, informal planting and pollinator-friendly gardens.
Browse cerinthe seeds →Scabiosa
Scabiosa is useful for pollinators, cutting gardens and cottage-style borders. Choose Scabiosa Mix, Summer Fruits, Fire King, Fata Morgana, Oxford Blue, Black Knight or Paper Moon.
Browse scabiosa seeds →Also Start Now for Next Year
Slower-growing flowers can be started in August to establish leaves and roots before their main display next year. Suitable choices include Delphinium Blue Cloud, Lunaria Violet, Lunaria White, Hollyhock Chater’s Double Mix, Hollyhock Nigra, Chater’s Scarlet, Chater’s White, Chater’s Yellow and Chater’s Maroon. These are not expected to flower this autumn.
Vegetables to Start in August
August is an important month for starting quick vegetables, autumn salads and leafy crops. Some can be sown directly into prepared soil, while trays and modules are useful where seedlings need protection from slugs, dry conditions or competition.
Sow Directly
Sow little and often, and keep the soil evenly moist. Beetroot and chard are most useful from early-August sowings, while rocket, radish and spinach become increasingly suitable as temperatures begin to fall.
Organic Chard Fireworks
Chard Fireworks is colourful, productive and useful for repeated harvesting. Sow during early August for autumn leaves, or harvest younger plants as baby leaf.
View chard seeds →Organic Red Beetroot Boro F1
Beetroot Boro can be grown for small roots, baby beetroot or young leaves where the remaining growing season is shorter.
View red beetroot seeds →Organic Yellow Beetroot Boldor
Yellow Beetroot Boldor is a colourful golden variety for autumn roots and young leaves. Sow into prepared soil and keep the seedbed consistently moist.
View yellow beetroot seeds →Organic Rocket Esmee
Rocket Esmee grows quickly in cooler late-summer conditions. Sow small batches throughout August for a steady supply of peppery leaves.
View rocket seeds →Organic Radish Cherry Belle
Radish Cherry Belle is a quick crop for succession sowing. Water regularly to encourage crisp, tender roots.
View radish seeds →Organic Spinach Renegade
Spinach Renegade is best sown as temperatures begin to ease, particularly during the second half of August.
View spinach seeds →Organic Welsh Onion Ishikura Long White
Welsh Onion Ishikura is a useful cool-season crop for garden beds, raised beds and deeper containers.
View Welsh onion seeds →Direct-Sowing Tip
Water the soil before sowing and prevent the surface from drying out during germination. In warm or dry weather, sow in the evening and use light temporary shade over newly sown salad crops.
Sow in Trays or Modules
Modules make it easier to protect young seedlings and plant them into gaps once they are established. Transplant promptly while plants are still young and before their roots become restricted.
Organic Lettuce Oakleaf Salad Bowl
Lettuce Salad Bowl can be started in modules for transplanting into beds, pots and gaps left by harvested summer vegetables.
View lettuce seeds →Organic Pak Choi Taisai
Pak Choi Taisai is a fast-growing crop for mild, moist late-summer and autumn conditions. Sow one or two seeds per module.
View pak choi seeds →Organic Chard Fireworks
Chard can also be raised in modules where direct-sown seedlings are vulnerable to slugs, weeds or dry soil. Transplant once plants are sturdy.
View chard seeds →Organic Spinach Renegade
Spinach can be started carefully in modules for transplanting while young. Avoid allowing seedlings to become root-bound.
View spinach seeds →Organic Red Beetroot Boro F1
Beetroot can be module-sown where outdoor conditions are difficult. Transplant small clusters before the developing roots become restricted.
View red beetroot seeds →Organic Yellow Beetroot Boldor
Start Boldor in modules for later planting into prepared beds or containers. Move seedlings while they are still young.
View yellow beetroot seeds →Tray-Sowing Tip
Keep modules outdoors in bright light but check them regularly for drying. Protect young lettuce, pak choi, spinach and chard from slugs, birds and strong midday sun.
Herbs to Sow in August
Sow parsley, coriander and dill in small batches as temperatures begin to ease. Keep seedbeds or containers evenly moist, particularly while seeds are germinating.
Parsley can be sown in pots, beds or modules for later harvesting. Germination can be slow, so maintain steady moisture.
Coriander is particularly useful for late-summer sowing because cooler conditions reduce rapid bolting.
Dill grows quickly and can be sown directly into beds or deeper containers.
Easy to Grow & Small-Space Friendly
These varieties are practical choices for pots, balconies, patios, children and first-time gardeners. Containers should have drainage holes and be checked regularly for moisture.
Best Flowers for Pots & Balconies
Dwarf Nasturtium Ladybird Rose, Dwarf Zinnia Thumbelina Mix, Marigold Durango Flame, Sunflower Sunspot, Calendula Ivory Princess and pansies.
Best Vegetables for Containers
Lettuce Salad Bowl, Rocket Esmee, Radish Cherry Belle, Pak Choi Taisai, Spinach Renegade, Chard Fireworks, Beetroot Boro and Welsh Onion Ishikura.
Easiest Beginner Flowers
Marigolds, calendula, Dwarf Nasturtium Ladybird Rose, Sunflower Sunspot and pansies.
Easiest Beginner Vegetables
Radish Cherry Belle, Rocket Esmee, Lettuce Salad Bowl, Pak Choi Taisai, Chard Fireworks and Beetroot Boro.
August Gardening Tips
August is a transition month. Act quickly with flowers intended to bloom this year, while using the second half of the month to prepare for autumn harvests and next spring’s flowers.
Cosmos, zinnias, nasturtiums, marigolds and sunflowers should be sown at the beginning of August.
Sow rocket, radish, lettuce, spinach and pak choi in small batches.
Start lettuce, pak choi, chard and beetroot in trays where direct-sown seedlings are vulnerable.
Sow hardy annuals toward the end of August only when the soil is cool and moist.
Late-flowering summer annuals are most dependable in southern, mild and sheltered temperate gardens.
Shop Seeds for August Gardening
Flowers, vegetables and herbs selected for late-summer sowing, autumn harvests, cool-season colour and next spring’s displays.