August Gardening in Alabama
August is one of the most important fall planting months.
It does not feel like fall.
The thermometer strongly disagrees.
Plant anyway—carefully.
This Month’s Priorities
Focus on:
- Fall planting
- Seedbed moisture
- Shade for transplants
- Removing spent summer crops
- Soil preparation
- Continued summer harvest
Plant Fall Crops
Depending on region, plant:
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Collards
- Kale
- Carrots
- Beets
- Turnips
- Lettuce
- Mustard greens
- Radishes
Germination Is the Challenge
Late-summer heat dries the soil surface quickly.
Keep seedbeds consistently moist.
Use Temporary Shade
Shade cloth can help:
- Lettuce
- Brassica seedlings
- New transplants
during establishment.
Rework Summer Beds
Remove:
- Diseased plants
- Dead vines
- Old mulch when necessary
Add compost before replanting.
Keep Harvesting
Continue harvesting:
- Okra
- Peppers
- Southern peas
- Tomatoes
- Basil
GardenGrowz Tip
Fall gardening starts while summer is still trying to win.