Attention Philly Residents: What Vegetables to Plant in August

Summer may be coming to a close, but gardening doesn't need to go as well. We've pulled together the top 7 best vegetables you can plant in August for a fruitful second round of gardening in Philly this year! Planting for a fall harvest also often means fewer insect problems. When choosing what to plant, you're looking for vegetables that are hardy and quick to harvest. 

1. Radishes.

Radishes do best in cooler conditions (yay for Philadelphia fall gardeners). They're one of the easiest vegetables to grow, and often ready in as little as 3 weeks! Be sure to stagger the seeds you plant, unless you plan to eat them all in one sitting.

2. Broccoli.

Plant in full sun, in well-drained soil. Broccoli prefers a cooler climate. So planting in August allows it to reach its full potential before flowering. 

3. Spinach.

Try and find a spot with full sun and well-drained soil. Harvest time for spinach is in around 40 days! So perfect for the end of summer harvest.

4. Peas.

Peas reach maturity in about 60 days. They are a cool-weather crop, so they'll require a little extra attention to survive August. But with regular waterings and a layer of mulch to keep them cool, they'll do just fine.

5. Beets.

Choose a location for your beets with loose, well-drained soil. You'll need to keep it moist as well. They'll take 45 to 65 days to mature, don't forget to enjoy their leafy greens when you harvest!

6. Kale.

Kale is an easy crop to grow and produces an excellent fall harvest. Regular watering produces sweet, crunchy leaves. It takes up to 95 days to mature, but the leaves can be harvested once they're the size of your hand.

7. Zucchini.

Zucchini matures in 50 to 60 days and often grows fastest in the fall harvest. Be sure to plant in nutrient-rich soil, and if you can, plant several zucchini plants on a hill. This promotes drainage and great pollination.

One more tip: be sure to harvest right when the vegetables are ready to encourage the plant to continue producing. Other than that, you're ready for a lush, fall vegetable garden.