In Texas, August is the prime time to start your fall garden by launching indoor seeds for cool-season crops, direct-sowing warm-season vegetables, and protecting new plantings from intense heat
What to PlantStart Indoors (Cool-Season Crops): Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, spinach, and Swiss chard. Early planting gives these long-maturing crops time before winter.Direct Sow Outdoors (Early to Mid-August): Bush and pole beans, corn, okra, cucumbers, and summer squash/zucchini.Direct Sow Outdoors (Late August): Carrots, radishes, beets, turnips, and greens like collards or mustard.Flowers: Zinnias, sunflowers, marigolds, and native wildflowers for next spring.
Heat Protection & WateringShade Cloth: Use a 40% shade cloth over delicate outdoor seedlings to shield them from scorching afternoon sun.Watering: Water deeply in the early morning or late evening. New seeds and young transplants may require daily—or even twice-daily—watering to keep the soil from drying out.Mulching: Add a thick layer of mulch around plants 4 inches and taller to lock in precious soil moisture.
Vegetables to Plant Outdoors By Direct-Seed
First Half of August
Winter Squash
Black-Eyed Peas
Southern Peas
Okra
Pumpkin
All Month
Corn
Cucumbers
Snap pole beans
Zucchini
Pinto beans
Bush beans
Chinese Cabbage
Swiss Chard
Vegetables to Start by Seed Indoors
All Month
Broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Mustard greens
Spinach
Swiss Chard
Tip: Don’t delay planting cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, or brussel sprouts. Earlier in the month is better. All have a long growing period and need plenty of time to mature.
Flowers to Plant by Seed Outdoors
All Month
Zinnias
Sunflowers
Marigolds
Nasturtiums
Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower)
Wildflowers (for bloom next spring)
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