What to Plant in August Zone 8: Container Garden Tips -

Fall is right around the corner, and if you’re anything like me, you’re feeling that mix of excitement and overwhelm. You know it’s time to start planting, but maybe you’re wondering where to begin. If you’re in Zone 8 like I am here in Georgia, August is a magical month—it’s the kickoff to your fall garden.

In this post, I’ll walk you through what to plant in August in Zone 8, especially if you’re gardening in containers or small spaces. I’ll share what I’m personally growing, what’s worked (and what hasn’t), and give you a full breakdown of container sizes, soil mixes, and sowing methods. Whether you’re starting indoors or direct sowing outside, you’ll walk away with a confident plan.

✨ Bonus: I also created a Monthly Grow Guide by Zone (you’ll hear more about that below!) to make this process even easier, especially if you’re wondering when to plant vegetables by zone.

What to Plant in August Zone 8: A Quick Glance

Here are the vegetables I’m starting this month:

Lettuce
Spinach
Kale
Swiss Chard
Collard Greens
Cabbage
Carrots
Beets
Radishes
Cauliflower
Parsley

Quick Crop Guide: Container Sizes, Soil Mixes & Sowing Methods for Fall Vegetables

Use this handy cheat sheet to figure out exactly what size container to use, how to prepare your soil, and whether to start your seeds indoors or direct sow outside.

Vegetable	Container Size	Recommended Soil Mix	Sowing Method
Lettuce	3–5 gallons	Loamy, well-draining, compost-rich	Start Indoors or Direct Sow
Spinach	3–5 gallons	Loamy with added worm castings	Start Indoors
Kale	5–7 gallons	Compost-rich with light mulch	Start Indoors
Swiss Chard	5–7 gallons	Moist, well-draining with compost	Start Indoors or Direct Sow
Collard Greens	7–10 gallons	Heavy feeder mix with compost & 4-4-4 fertilizer	Start Indoors or Direct Sow
Cabbage	10–15 gallons	Rich, deep mix with worm castings and compost	Start Indoors
Carrots	10–15 gallons (deep)	Loose, sandy loam with compost	Direct Sow
Beets	7–10 gallons	Well-draining with organic matter	Direct Sow
Radishes	3–5 gallons	Loose, well-draining soil	Direct Sow
Cauliflower	15+ gallons	Heavy feeder mix with worm castings & 4-4-4	Start Indoors
Parsley	3–5 gallons	Moist, well-draining potting mix	Start Indoors

Let’s dive into the details of each one—how I’m planting them, what I’m using, and how you can start too.

Lettuce: My Faithful Frenemy

Start type: Indoors or Direct Sow
Container size: 3–5 gallons
Soil: Loamy, well-draining, compost-rich
Fertilizer I use: Balanced 4-4-4 organic fertilizer

Lettuce and I have a complicated history. I’ve tried growing it multiple times with no success—until I used a hydroponic method indoors. This fall, I’m giving it another shot in soil. To get a head start and let my summer bush beans finish up, I’ll be starting the lettuce indoors in trays.

Lettuce is fast-growing and thrives in cooler temps, which makes it perfect for succession planting every 3 weeks. If you’re using grow bags, 3–5 gallons is plenty for a handful of plants. I recommend a loose, compost-rich potting mix to help those shallow roots thrive.

Pro tip: If your summers are scorching (hello, Georgia!), start lettuce indoors and transplant once the heat lets up.

Spinach: Giving It Another Try

Start type: Indoors
Container size: 3–5 gallons
Soil: Loamy with worm castings
Variety I’m growing: Bloomsdale Longstanding

I haven’t had great success growing traditional spinach in soil, but this fall, I’m determined. The only spinach that’s ever worked for me was Malabar spinach, which is actually a tropical variety—not what we need for fall!

This time, I’m planting Bloomsdale and starting it indoors. Cooler temps will help it thrive, and a light frost even makes the leaves sweeter. I like to add worm castings to my soil mix to support leafy growth and improve germination.

Kale: A First-Time Grower’s Dream

Start type: Indoors
Container size: 5–7 gallons
Soil: Compost-rich with light mulch
Variety: Lacinato Kale (aka Dinosaur Kale)

Believe it or not, this is my first time growing kale, and I’m so excited! Kale is one of those hardy greens that sweetens with a light frost and thrives in cooler weather. I’m starting mine indoors with plans to transplant later.

Choose a container that’s at least 12 inches deep and keep the soil slightly moist. I top-dress with compost or worm castings and mulch lightly to keep roots cool once it’s outside.

Swiss Chard: Baby Greens That Keep Giving

Start type: Indoors or Direct Sow
Container size: 5–7 gallons
Soil: Moist, well-draining with compost
Fertilizer: Organic liquid feed or fish emulsion

I planted baby Swiss chard seedlings in July, and they’ve just been chilling while I prepare their forever home. This vibrant green is tough—it tolerates both heat and cold and can produce well beyond the first frost.

You can direct sow or start indoors, depending on your schedule. I use a soil blend enriched with compost and a splash of liquid fertilizer every few weeks to keep them happy.

Collard Greens: A Southern Staple

Start type: Indoors or Direct Sow
Container size: 7–10 gallons
Soil: Rich with compost and balanced fertilizer
My variety: Georgia Southern

Collards are a must for a Georgia garden. I’ve already got a few baby collards growing in containers, but I’ll be dropping more seeds soon. These greens are frost-tolerant, grow well in large grow bags, and keep producing through winter.

They’re heavy feeders, so I mix in compost + balanced granular fertilizer when planting and follow up with regular feedings. Don’t crowd them—give them a deep 10-gallon grow bag if possible.

Cabbage: Trying It From Seed

Start type: Indoors
Container size: 10–15 gallons
Soil: Deep, rich, and well-draining
Variety: Golden Acre

This season, I’m starting cabbage from seed indoors for the first time. It’s still too hot in Zone 8A, so I’ll transplant outside when the weather cools.

Cabbage has a long growing season and needs space to form heads. Use a deep grow bag (at least 10–15 gallons) and give each plant its own pot. I prep the soil with compost, worm castings, and balanced fertilizer to encourage strong leaf growth.

Carrots: Learning from My 8-Month Wait

Start type: Direct Sow
Container size: 10–15 gallons (deep)
Soil: Loose, sandy loam with compost
When to plant carrot seeds in Georgia: Late July to September

Last year, I waited eight months for a tiny carrot harvest—but this year, I’m going all in! I’ve already sown Scarlet Nantes carrots and plan to add more varieties like Rainbow Mix and Danvers 126.

Carrots need deep, loose soil. Avoid clumps and rocks by sifting your potting mix. I use tall fabric grow bags filled with a mix of potting soil, sand, and compost, then water deeply and evenly.

Succession sowing tip: Sow carrots every 2–3 weeks for a steady harvest.

Beets: The Double-Harvest Hero

Start type: Direct Sow
Container size: 7–10 gallons
Soil: Well-draining with organic matter
When to plant beets in Georgia: August through October

I haven’t had success with beets yet, but I’m not giving up. Beets give you two harvests in one—greens and roots! This fall, I’m planting Detroit Dark Red and hoping for better results.

Beets prefer cool temps, so now is a great time to direct sow in a 10-inch-deep grow bag. I enrich the soil with compost and top with 4-4-4 fertilizer at sowing.

Radishes: Fast, Fun, and Frustrating (Sometimes)

Start type: Direct Sow
Container size: 3–5 gallons
Soil: Loose and well-draining
When to plant radishes: Late July through early October

Radishes are supposed to be easy and fast, but they’ve been tricky for me. I’ve tried Early Scarlet Globe and Icicle Short Top—no luck yet. Still, I’m trying again!

Use a shallow container with loose soil and sow seeds every few weeks. They mature in 25–30 days, so you can succession sow regularly for continuous harvests.

Experiment tip: Keep them shaded if it’s still hot when you sow.

Cauliflower: Big Space, Big Reward

Start type: Indoors
Container size: 15+ gallons
Soil: Heavy feeder mix with compost and fertilizer
When to plant cauliflower in Zone 8: Start indoors in August, transplant late September

Cauliflower is new for me this year, and I’m starting it indoors since it’s too hot for outdoor germination. I’ll be growing one plant per 15-gallon container, which gives it the space it needs.

This crop is a heavy feeder, so I load up the soil with compost, worm castings, and granular fertilizer before transplanting.

Parsley: A Cut-and-Come-Again Favorite

Start type: Indoors
Container size: 3–5 gallons
Soil: Moist, rich potting mix
When to plant parsley: August–September for fall/winter harvest

Parsley grows slowly at first but then keeps producing all season long. I’m starting mine indoors and will move them outside in September. It’s a great herb to have on hand year-round.

You can harvest continuously by cutting outer stems, allowing the inner leaves to keep growing. I water deeply and feed lightly every few weeks.

Want to Know What to Plant Each Month?

If you’re always Googling “when to plant lettuce” or “what to plant in the fall in Georgia”, I’ve got something that will change your garden life.

I created a Monthly Grow Guide by Zone—a planner that tells you exactly what to plant each month based on your USDA zone. No more guesswork. It includes:

What to direct sow vs. start indoors
Monthly planting timeline
Container gardening tips for small spaces
Fertilizing tracker
Notes & journal pages

Whether you’re wondering when to plant kale in Georgia or when to plant carrot seeds in Georgia, this planner makes it easy. Grab the full bundle!

It’s Time to Start Your Fall Garden!

Whew! That was a lot—but now you know exactly what to plant in August in Zone 8. Whether you’re growing in containers on your patio or filling raised beds in your backyard, this is the perfect time to start your fall crops.

Start indoors where needed
Direct sow where you can
Use good soil, proper container sizes, and quality fertilizer
And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember: You’re not alone!

Drop those seeds and trust the process. You’re going to grow something beautiful.

*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I use and love!