The question on everyone’s mind as they look at our beautiful plants under the scorching August sun: Is now a good time to get a plant and transplant it into your garden?

There is a common misconception that once August hits, the planting season is winding down. In reality, late summer is one of the best times of the year to garden in Northern Illinois. The soil is warm, speeding up germination, and as the heat of mid-summer eventually breaks into cooler September nights, plants experience far less transplant shock. It is the perfect time to aim for a second harvest of crisp greens or a lush yard that holds its color until November.

What vegetables can be planted now?

With our first average frost in the Western Suburbs typically hitting in mid-October, August is the prime window for cool-weather crops. In fact, there are a few veggies you can directly sow now, like spinach or arugula. Radishes are also perfect for August because they are the fastest growers in the garden. They can be harvested only 25 days after planting. Leaf lettuce and butterhead are also both perfectly suited for an August sowing, along with beets and turnips.

If you are looking to transplant instead of direct sow, broccoli and cabbage can get a late-season harvest if you get them in the ground early enough. Kale and Swiss chard are also both good transplants for August. Believe it or not, they can improve in taste if they experience a slight frost, as it turns some of their starch into sugar.

Are there any annuals that can be planted now?

It is a great question and we get it a lot. The answer is, yes! Garden mums and asters are great examples of late-season annual color that can give your garden a breath of life while everything else is fading. Pansies and violas are also surprisingly tough little bloomers. They can usually withstand a little bit of frost and bounce back.

If you are looking for something that is not so floral, ornamental cabbage and kale deserve a mention. Their leaves have a lovely texture and color that can change dramatically as the season rolls on.

Can I plant trees and shrubs in August?

August and September are actually a landscaper’s secret weapon for establishing woody plants. When you plant in the spring, the plant is forced to divide its energy between getting established, shooting out new growth, and preparing for the heat of the summer.

Is August too early to plant spring bulbs?

Yes. Absolutely, August is too early to plant your bulbs for next spring. But it is certainly not too early to plan for them! If you know you are eventually going to be planting bulbs, you can plan the rest of your garden around where they will go.

Plant your mums or pansies, and leave a space for where you will be burying your daffodils and tulips. Then you can come back in September or October and drop your fresh bulbs right in their places.

Is now a good time to plant grass seed?

As you are reading this, it might still be a little too warm to plant most grass seeds. Our cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass do much better when you wait for the cooler evenings of September. The combination of warm soil and cool air works wonders for root growth.

In general, to have more success over the winter, we recommend taking especially good care of the roots of any plant you sow in the fall. To really protect your plants, add a thin layer of rich compost or organic mulch around fall plantings to retain moisture and shield roots during those winter freeze-thaw cycles.