Thriving Gardens in August: Planting Guide for Zone 7
August is a vibrant month in Zone 7, offering ample opportunities for gardeners to sow and cultivate a variety of plants. As summer transitions into fall, it's time to embrace the unique growing conditions and select the perfect plants for a flourishing garden. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore 10-15 plants suitable for planting in Zone 7 during August. Let's dive in and discover the secrets to successful gardening!
1. Tomatoes:
- Varieties: 'Early Girl,' 'Celebrity,' 'Roma'
- Planting Tips: Select disease-resistant cultivars, provide sturdy stakes or cages for support, and ensure at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Harvest Time: Approximately 70-85 days from planting.
2. Peppers:
- Varieties: Bell peppers, jalapeños, banana peppers
- Planting Tips: Choose a sunny location, provide well-drained soil, and space plants 18-24 inches apart.
- Harvest Time: Depending on the variety, peppers can be harvested 60-90 days from planting.
3. Cucumbers:
- Varieties: 'Straight Eight,' 'Marketmore,' 'Pickling'
- Planting Tips: Plant seeds or young seedlings in a location with full sun, provide a trellis or support for vertical growth, and maintain consistent soil moisture.
- Harvest Time: Harvest cucumbers when they reach the desired size, typically 50-70 days from planting.
4. Summer Squash:
- Varieties: 'Yellow Crookneck,' 'Zucchini,' 'Pattypan'
- Planting Tips: Plant in well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter, provide consistent moisture, and space plants 24-36 inches apart.
- Harvest Time: Harvest summer squash when they are young and tender, usually around 40-60 days from planting.
5. Beans:
- Varieties: Bush beans, pole beans
- Planting Tips: Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil, provide support for pole beans, and sow seeds directly in the ground or use young transplants.
- Harvest Time: Harvest beans when they are young and crisp, typically 50-70 days from planting.
6. Herbs:
- Varieties: Basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, parsley
- Planting Tips: Select a well-drained location with full sun, space plants according to their specific requirements, and provide adequate water and nutrients.
- Harvest Time: Harvest herbs as needed once they reach a suitable size, usually a few weeks after planting.
7. Lettuce:
- Varieties: 'Leaf Lettuce,' 'Romaine,' 'Butterhead'
- Planting Tips: Plant in a location with partial shade to protect from excessive heat, provide well-drained soil, and water consistently to prevent bolting.
- Harvest Time: Harvest outer leaves as they reach desired size, or harvest the entire head when mature, typically 40-60 days from planting.
8. Radishes:
- Varieties: 'Cherry Belle,' 'French Breakfast,' 'Easter Egg'
- Planting Tips: Choose a sunny location with loose, well-drained soil, sow seeds directly in the ground, and thin seedlings to ensure proper spacing.
- Harvest Time: Harvest radishes when they reach the desired size, usually 20-30 days from planting.
9. Carrots:
- Varieties: 'Nantes,' 'Scarlet Nantes,' 'Danvers'
- Planting Tips: Select a location with loose soil, free from stones or obstructions, sow seeds directly in the ground, and thin seedlings to ensure proper spacing.
- Harvest Time: Harvest carrots when they reach the desired size and color, typically 60-80 days from planting.
10. Swiss Chard:
- Varieties: 'Bright Lights,' 'Ruby Red,' 'Fordhook Giant'
- Planting Tips: Choose a location with partial shade to protect from intense heat, provide well-drained soil, and space plants 12-18 inches apart.
- Harvest Time: Harvest outer leaves as needed once they reach a suitable size, typically 50-60 days from planting.
11. Beets:
- Varieties: 'Detroit Dark Red,' 'Golden,' 'Chioggia'
- Planting Tips: Select a sunny location with well-drained soil, sow seeds directly in the ground, and thin seedlings to ensure proper spacing.
- Harvest Time: Harvest beets when they reach the desired size, usually 50-70 days from planting.
12. Basil:
- Varieties: 'Genovese,' 'Sweet Thai,' 'Lemon'
- Planting Tips: Choose a location with full sun, provide well-drained soil, and space plants 12-18 inches apart.
- Harvest Time: Begin harvesting basil leaves once the plant has sufficient growth, usually around 60 days from planting.
13. Eggplant:
- Varieties: 'Black Beauty,' 'Japanese,' 'Pingtung Long'
- Planting Tips: Select a location with full sun, provide well-drained soil, and space plants 24-36 inches apart.
- Harvest Time: Harvest eggplants when they reach a mature size and shiny appearance, typically 70-90 days from planting.
14. Melons:
- Varieties: Watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew
- Planting Tips: Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil, provide ample space for vining varieties, and water consistently to promote fruit development.
- Harvest Time: Harvest melons when they have a full, sweet aroma, and the fruits slip easily from the vine, usually 70-100 days from planting.
15. Pumpkins:
- Varieties: 'Sugar Pie,' 'Connecticut Field,' 'Cinderella'
- Planting Tips: Select a location with full sun, provide well-drained soil, and provide ample space for vining varieties to sprawl.
Harvest Time: Harvest pumpkins when they reach the desired size and have fully turned their characteristic color, typically 85-120 days from planting.
Note: The planting and harvest times mentioned are approximate and may vary depending on specific varieties and local growing conditions.
Conclusion: With this planting guide, you're well-equipped to create a thriving garden in Zone 7 during August. Remember to consider your specific site conditions, provide proper care, and enjoy the bountiful rewards of your efforts. Happy gardening!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post serves as a general guideline. It is important to consult local resources and consider specific microclimates and individual plant needs when planning and caring for your garden.
