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Hopefully, by now, you’re enjoying a bountiful summer harvest from the crops you planted this past spring. If not, there’s always next year. Just know next year, we’ll be rootin’ for ya! For now, though, while the getting’s good, it’s definitely time to start thinking about what you’re going to plant for cool-season crops during August and September.

Remember: the following is a guideline and to be used as a rule-of-thumb. As temperatures fluctuate from year to year, this guideline tends to change by a few weeks.

August

What to Start (Direct Sow):

Broccoli

Cabbage

Cauliflower

Collards

Kale

Onions

Snap beans (No later than August 15th)

Irish potatoes (No later than August 15th)

Cucumbers (No later than August 31st)

Squash (No later than August 31st)

What to Prepare for September – October Planting:

Prepare your soil by amending it as needed. The spring crops undoubtedly depleted some of the nutrients from the soil, so it’s time to begin replenishing the nutrients. If you need a soil testing kit, please contact the local UGA Extension Office for more information on how to obtain a kit. You’ll also want to make sure you properly amend the soil after any plants that experienced problems like mildew and blight.

September

What to Start (Direct Sow):

Beets

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrots

Collards

Lettuce

Mustard

Onions

Radishes

Spinach

Turnips

Kale

What to Prepare:

Begin replenishing mulch in your garden at this time.

How to calculate planting date

Determine the frost date and count back the number of days to maturity plus 18 days for the harvest of the crop. If snap beans mature in 55 days and your frost date is November 15th, you should plant on or before September 3.  (1)