Exciting August Florida Garden Plan: What to Grow in August in Florida

Last Updated on August 8, 2025 by Homegrown Florida

I’m super excited about this month’s gardening because August marks the transition from summer to fall here in Florida. The planting possibilities are vast, and I’ve got some surprises for you on what to grow in August in Florida. Stick around as I share the top vegetables for this month, discuss ongoing projects, and drop a special tip to maximize your garden’s potential.

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What to Grow in August in Florida

August in Florida might feel like the peak of summer, but it’s actually the kickoff to fall gardening for much of the state. The key is to think ahead — where your plants will be in two or three months, when cooler days and mild nights arrive. Here’s what to start now based on your region.

North Florida

You’ll feel cooler weather first and have the highest risk for frost and freezes, so timing is everything.

• Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants – These long-season warm crops should have been started in July, but you can still plant them this month if you get them going right away. Starting this week gives them a better chance to produce before frost. If frost is likely, plan to protect plants or grow them in a greenhouse.
• Short-season warm crops – Squash, cucumbers, beans, and even a fall round of corn can be started now. These need about 90 frost-free days, but growth will be slower as daylight decreases in fall.
• Long-season cool crops – Start your brassicas like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, collards, kale, and mustard greens now. These take time to mature, and varieties labeled “heat-tolerant” will handle Florida’s warm fall days better.
• Other cool crops – Celery, turnips, rutabagas, and beets can also be started this month. Turnips and beets mature faster; rutabagas and celery take longer.

Tip: “Heat-tolerant” on seed packets doesn’t mean summer-growing — it means the plants can handle our warm fall and spring temperatures (around 70°F) without bolting too quickly.

Central Florida

Your planting window is wider, but heavy summer rain makes outdoor seed starting tricky.

• Warm crops to start now – Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, squash, and beans can go in now. Corn can be planted at the end of August or early September for better timing.
• Starting seeds indoors – I use my Aerogarden with the seed-starting tray or Aerogarden Farm to grow strong seedlings without battling daily downpours. If you don’t have an Aerogarden, use grow lights, seed trays, and a heat mat to get similar results.
• Starting seeds outdoors – My favorite tool is the Epic Gardening seed-starting tray. Find a spot with 4–6 hours of direct sun but protection from heavy rain — the edge of a patio, under a palm tree, or under shade cloth or insect netting works well. This prevents seedlings from getting waterlogged and stressed.
• Sweet potatoes – If you’re in northern Central Florida like me, sweet potatoes may die back in winter, so planting now could delay harvest until next year. If you’re further south in this region and rarely get frost, you can still plant them, but expect slower growth in fall.
• Faster-growing hot-weather crops – Okra, cowpeas, and tropical greens like longevity spinach, Okinawa spinach, red Malabar spinach, and Swiss chard thrive now and will be ready before cooler weather arrives.
• Cool crops – You can start long-season brassicas now, but I’ve found waiting until September (or even October) reduces the amount of nursing they need through the heat.

South Florida

You can grow nearly everything through winter since frost isn’t a concern — but it’s still hot now.

• Warm crops – Tomatoes, tomatillos, peppers, squash, and beans can be planted anytime from now through fall. Waiting until September often means less babying through the heat.
• Cool crops – You can grow brassicas, celery, and leafy greens all winter. Your main limit is summer heat next year, not frost.
• Year-round options – Crops like cowpeas, tropical squashes (Seminole pumpkin, Thai Kang Kob, South Anna butternut, tromboncino, Tahitian melon squash, chayote), and tropical greens can grow in both summer and winter. Some, like Thai Kang Kob, have been standouts in my garden this year for both production and pest resistance.
• Save long-season tropical roots – Sweet potatoes, ginger, turmeric, peanuts, and jicama can be grown now, but I like to plant them in late spring so they fill in the summer garden.

💡 Remember: Growth slows in fall due to shorter days, so planting dates that work in spring may need adjusting now. Use the warm early months of fall to get crops established so they thrive in Florida’s prime growing weather.

If you’re looking for even more detailed guidance on growing veggies here in Florida—like when to start seeds, how to manage pests, and what varieties really thrive—don’t forget to check out my ebook! It’s got a chapter for every single vegetable and is packed with everything I’ve learned over the years gardening in Florida.

As August is a month of significant change, it’s vital to focus on various tasks in the garden to prepare for the upcoming fall season. These tasks include:

• Clipping Cover Crops: Trim down cover crops and use them as mulch to enhance soil quality.
• Composting: Lay fresh homemade compost on top of cover crops to provide essential nutrients to the soil.
• Ordering Seed Garlic: Order your seed garlic now to allow for vernalization in the fridge, a crucial step for bulb formation.
• Ordering Seed Potatoes: Consider ordering seed potatoes, preferably from trusted sources like Grand Tetons Organics.

Special Tip for Tomatoes:
Tomatoes can be tricky to germinate in the heat of summer. Consider starting them indoors using a hydroponic system like an AeroGarden. Alternatively, start seeds in trays indoors, paying close attention to light needs, or move them outside cautiously to avoid excessive rain and ensure proper hydration. Happy gardening!