August Gardening in Alabama: Planting Through the Heat

Alabama's humid subtropical climate means August is both a harvest month and a prep month for fall crops. With careful planning, gardeners can extend their growing season and keep beds productive.

What to Plant in August

August is ideal for planting heat-tolerant vegetables and starting cool-season crops:

| Crop Type | Examples |

| Warm-season veggies | Tomatoes, peppers, okra, eggplant, squash, beans |

| Fall crops (seeds) | Kale, collards, mustard greens, lettuce, radishes, turnips, carrots |

| Fall crops (transplants) | Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage (especially in North Alabama) |

| Herbs | Basil, oregano, thyme-great for heat and flavor |

| Flowers | Pansies, snapdragons-start now for fall blooms |

Garden Tasks for August

The Alabama Cooperative Extension offers a month-by-month calendar with specific tasks:

- Vegetables: Continue planting beans and squash statewide. In Central and North Alabama, sow root crops and leafy greens. In South and Central Alabama, plant certified seed potatoes until mid-month.

- Fruits & Nuts: Cut out old blackberry canes after fruiting and fertilize for next year's growth.

- Shrubs: Propagate woody plants like hydrangeas and azaleas by layering. Avoid fertilizing now to prevent tender growth before frost.

- Lawns: Fertilize bermudagrass and St. Augustinegrass; skip centipedegrass and zoysiagrass. Mow every 5–10 days and water as needed.

- Roses: Lightly prune hybrid teas and floribundas. Old-fashioned roses may bloom again-no pruning needed.

- Bulbs: Divide and replant irises. Begin planning for fall bulb planting.

Watering & Maintenance Tips

- Water early in the morning to reduce evaporation.

- Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

- Monitor for pests like aphids, hornworms, and fungal issues-especially in humid conditions.

- Deadhead flowers and trim herbs to encourage new growth.

Prep for Fall

- Start composting with kitchen scraps and yard waste.

- Order seeds and plan your fall garden layout.

- Clean out beds of spent summer crops and add compost to enrich soil.

August in Alabama is a month of transition-balancing the last of summer's bounty with the promise of fall. If you'd like, I can create a printable checklist or a planting calendar specific to your region. Just say the word!