August: Abundance & Planning for Late Harvests

August: Abundance & Planning for Late Harvests

Introduction

August is a transition month — you’re enjoying the peak of summer harvests while preparing for your next season of growth. The heat is still here, but the days are getting shorter, making this the perfect time to plant cool-weather crops while keeping summer favorites producing.

For the very ambitious, you can try transplanting established seedling of some of your summer favourites at the beginning of the month for an end of September harvest.

With a LifeSpace Garden powered by GardenWells sub-irrigation, you’ll maintain consistent hydration without the hassle of daily watering, keeping plants healthy even during late-summer heat waves.

Reservoir Rhythm for August

In August, plants are maturing quickly and fruiting heavily, so they need more water. Expect to refill your GardenWells reservoirs every 5–7 days. Use your WaterStem to check levels — when the Hummingbird rises, you’re ready to go.

Pro Tip: Use mulch to reduce evaporation and keep SIP soil temperatures cooler during peak heat.

Reservoir vs. Top-Watering Comparison for August

Watering Method Average Refill Frequency Water Efficiency Plant Stress Risk Maintenance Level
GardenWells Wicking Bed Every 5–7 days ★★★★★ (90%+ retained) Very low — steady hydration during heat Minimal
Traditional Top Watering Daily or every other day ★★☆☆☆ (40–50% retained) High — surface drying causes stress High
Hand-Watering Containers Daily or twice a day ★☆☆☆☆ (30% retained) Very high — shallow soils dry quickly Intensive

Key Gardening Tasks for August

1. Harvest Like Crazy

  • Pick tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, beans, and peppers every few days to keep plants producing.

  • Harvest herbs like basil, dill, and cilantro often to prevent bolting and promote regrowth.

2. Plant for Fall & Winter

  • Direct-seed carrots, beets, radishes, lettuce, kale, and spinach for autumn harvests.

  • Start broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts indoors now for transplanting later this month or in September.

3. Manage Heat & Pests

  • Mulch generously to reduce water loss and keep soil cool.

  • Watch for aphids, spider mites, and flea beetles — interplant nasturtiums to deter them naturally.

4. Save Seeds & Prep Beds

  • Collect seeds from bolted herbs like cilantro, dill, and parsley.

  • Add compost or slow-release fertilizer to prepare beds for fall planting.

🌟 Veggie of the Month: Peppers

Sweet, hot, or somewhere in between, peppers love August heat and thrive in SIPs with consistent bottom-up watering.

Quick Pepper Tips:

  • Planting: Transplant into SIPs for healthy, stress-free growth.

  • Harvesting: Pick when fruits are glossy and firm for best flavor.

  • Bonus Tip: Interplant with basil to repel pests and improve flavor.

📘 Read the Full Pepper Growing Guide →

What to Plant, Start, Transplant & Harvest in August

Action Veggies & Herbs
Direct-Seed Outdoors (early August for best results) Carrots, Beets, Radishes, Spinach, Lettuce, Arugula, Kale, Swiss Chard, Mustard Greens, Turnips, Cilantro, Dill, Parsley
Start Indoors (for fall transplanting) Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Kale
Transplant Now (early August, before heat fades) Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant, Cucumbers, Zucchini, Basil, Oregano, Rosemary, Thyme, Mint, Chives
Harvest This Month Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers, Zucchini, Beans, Eggplant, Lettuce, Arugula, Carrots, Beets, Herbs

Out-of-the-Box: Start Your Garden Today

Just unboxed your LifeSpace Garden? You can still plant now for fall:

  • Direct-seed fast growers like radishes, lettuce, and spinach for quick harvests.

  • Transplant heat lovers like peppers and basil while the season’s still warm.

  • Keep your GardenWells filled, your Hummingbird floating, and let your SIPs handle the rest.

💡 Product Tips

August’s combination of heat + harvests calls for efficient systems:

Back to A Year in Your LifeSpace Garden