Wondering what to plant now in early-mid August in Wisconsin? Try planting these fast growing cool weather crops for a longer fresh vegetable harvest!
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It’s mid-August in Wisconsin, and that means that a lot of gardens are starting to produce bountifully. We’ve had hot weather to help those crops grow, water has made a difference for them, and now you might harvesting and canning like crazy to get a nice supply of food set aside for winter.
But after you’ve pulled out the garlic, harvested the onions, and find yourself with some extra garden space, don’t let that space go to waste! Instead, use that up with a fresh planting of some cool weather crops to enjoy longer into the season.
Over the weekend, I was chatting with Rebecca from We Grow Foods LLC, and she mentioned to me that though a lot of people are kind of feeling like planting season is done for gardeners, now is the perfect time to plant a few varieties of crops for a fresh late season harvest.
But the question remains: What can I plant right now in August in Wisconsin? With the first frost date luminous over many gardener’s heads, there aren’t a huge list of plants that fall within the options. Rebecca suggested looking for vegetables with a 28-day growing season and like the cooler weather. Specifically, she named crops like arugula, mustard greens, lettuces, and radishes. With falling temperatures and less bugs, these plants will do well with a late season planting.
Let’s dive into exactly what to plant now in August in Wisconsin.
Table of Contents
- When in August Should I Plant in Wisconsin?
- What Crops Should I Plant Now in August in Wisconsin?
- Purchase Seeds
- Be Sure to Save This Post
When in August Should I Plant in Wisconsin?
You’ll want to make sure your crops get in early to late August for a successful crop. The fall can be very unpredictable in terms of weather; each year varies. The average first fall date for Zone 4 in Wisconsin is somewhere between September 1st and September 10th, which means that the crops being grown in this zone need to be cold-tolerant and accepting of the cooler weather. With a shorter growing timeframe, the plants you select should be already sprouted with a well-established root system before they face that first frost. Planting early-mid August should help you to make sure that happens.
What Crops Should I Plant Now in August in Wisconsin?
Let’s dive into some specific vegetables that you can plant now in August in Wisconsin to extend your fresh vegetable season. You’ll want to be sure to plant early-mid August for best results.
Arugula
Arugula is a wonderful green addition, and it will be a welcome spicy addition to any fall salad. With its quick germination, nice toleration of cold temperatures, and short amount of days to maturity, arugula is a great choice to plant right now in August in Wisconsin.
Mustard Greens
Mustard greens are an excellent salad or stir fry addition with their spicy flavor and often beautiful color. They can even be pickled! Raise as a microgreen or baby leaf in the fall, and enjoy its health benefits and flavor well into the fall season.
Lettuces
Once winter hits, you’re going to miss those lettuce salads fresh from the garden! Enjoy them longer into the season by planting these green, leafy vegetables in August, giving you a harvest to enjoy well into cooler temperatures.
Radishes
Radishes thrive in cooler weather, as it gives them the opportunity to grow without the stress from the heat (plus helps prevent radishes that are too hot to eat!). The quick growing season, cold-weather preference, and wonderful flavor make radishes an excellent choice to plant now in August in Wisconsin.
Spinach
Spinach is packed full of nutrients and health benefits, and can easily be added to many dishes for extra health benefits. The cool weather gives the spinach an extra sweetness that really adds something to salads and other dishes. Some have even tried winter sowing spinach, meaning planting it late fall then reaping the benefits later in the spring. Because it’s incredibly cold-hardy, spinach fits as a great choice for a fall harvested vegetable.
Purchase Seeds
If you’re looking to purchase seeds to start these crops for your own late season harvest, consider High Mowing Organic Seed Company.
Be Sure to Save This Post
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