How to Start a Vegetable Garden in August

• Real Estate Tips
• DIY, Garden
• August 18, 2020

Growing your own vegetable garden is not only money-saving, but stress relieving as well. Gardening has been proven to be beneficial for one’s mental health. Tending to plants can help someone practice mindful presence, connect with the world, feel less stress, and more!

The end of summer is approaching, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late for you to start a vegetable garden in August! There are plenty of vegetables you can plant now and enjoy in the fall and winter months.

Learn how you can start your own vegetable garden and save money on produce!

Selecting Your Garden Site

A lot of people prefer garden beds to growing directly in the ground. There are greater benefits to garden beds, such as better drainage, less foot traffic, less weeding, and a longer growing season.

But growing in the ground is simpler and does not require you to build a garden bed. In-ground gardens are financially economical as you don’t have to buy soil and you can use less water.

The method of gardening you prefer will depend on your financial budget and the amount of upkeep you want to do. Wherever you decide to start planting, make sure there is plenty of sunlight and that the garden has access to water.

Start Small

When you decide to start a vegetable garden, start small! Gardening can require a good amount of physical work, such as planting, weeding, and watering. Start with a small garden patch and see if you actually enjoy the labor of growing your own vegetables.

If you decide to build a raised garden bed, a good size to start with is a 3 ½ to 4-foot width, with a 2-foot height. Make sure your soil is organically rich in nutrients to promote root growth. If you plant in-ground, make sure you have the soil tested and mix the ground soil with compost.  

Choosing Your Vegetables

There are plenty of vegetables you can start growing in late summer if you live in zones 4 to 7. Planting for a fall and winter harvest should begin about 6-8 weeks before the first frost.

Here are some essential vegetables you can start planting in August!

• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Brussel sprouts
• Kale
• Lettuce
• Carrots
• Spinach
• Beets
• Turnips

Starting a vegetable garden in August can be a wonderful form of therapy that benefits your mental and physical health. And through your continued dedication, you will have grown a wonderful selection of fall and winter vegetables you can enjoy.