The days begin to warm in August in the southern hemisphere. This is the time to begin planting crops for summer harvest. But keep in mind there may still be some chilly days in the colder regions.
Root crops can go into the ground immediately this month. But tender seedlings, tomatoes, capsicums and some lettuce may need protection until the weather turns warmer for good.
Get manure, compost, blood and bone meal into the garden now. That will give these soil amendments a chance to begin to break down before the entire garden is planted.
This month is the last chance to spray stone fruit with lime sulphur or Bordeaux mix before the spring bud burst. Once buds break, it will be almost impossible to control fungal problems.
August Planting Schedule for the Southern Hemisphere:
Here is a planting schedule by region for the Southern Hemisphere in August:
Temperate regions: Vegetables: artichoke suckers, beets (beetroot), cabbage, cape gooseberry, capsicum, carrots, celery, chicory, choko (chayote), cress, endive, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, spring onion, parsnip, peas, potato tubers, radish, rhubarb crowns, salsify, Swiss chard (silverbeet), tomato. Herbs: basil, borage, caraway, chamomile, chervil, chicory, chilli, coriander, dill, garlic, marigold, parsley.
Tropical and subtropical northern regions: Vegetables: beans, beets (beetroot), buckwheat, cabbage, cape gooseberry, capsicum (sweet pepper), carrots, celery, Chinese cabbage, choko (chayote), cress, cucumber, fennel, lettuce, marrow, melons, mustard, okra, parsnip, potatoes, pumpkin, radish, rhubarb crowns, rosella, salsify, spring onion, squash, strawberry runners, sweet corn, sweet potato, Swiss chard (silverbeet), tomato, zucchini. Herbs: basil, borage, caraway, chamomile, celeriac, chervil, coriander, dill, garlic, hyssop, lemon balm, marjoram, oregano, parsley, salad burnet, thyme.
Cooler southern regions: Vegetables: artichokes, broad beans, Chinese cabbage, cress, endive, kohlrabi, lettuce, spring onion, onion, parsnip, peas, potato tubers, rhubarb crowns, salsify, Swiss chard (silverbeet), spinach, turnip. Herbs: garlic, parsley.
August Harvest Schedule for the Southern Hemisphere:
Here is a roundup of vegetables and fruits ready for harvest during August in the Southern Hemisphere:
Vegetables: asparagus, Brussels sprouts, carrots, celeriac, celery, Chinese cabbage, kale, lettuce, mustard, peas, purslane, rutabaga (Swedes), turnips, witloof chicory.
Fruit: avocadoes, grapefruit, kiwifruit, lemons, limes, mandarins, navel oranges.
ooo yummy-kiwis