🌱 What Seeds to Sow in August – Companion Planting Ideas for a Thriving Garden
Share
August might feel like summer is winding down, but it’s actually a fantastic month to keep your garden growing. From quick crops to autumn harvests and next spring’s blooms, there’s still so much you can sow. Whether you're topping up bare patches or starting a second round of salads, this month offers the perfect excuse to get your hands dirty.
Let’s dig into what seeds to sow in August — and how companion planting can help boost your results!
🥬 What Vegetables Can I Sow in August?
Here are a few top performers that you can sow now:
🥕 Carrots (Autumn King)
Perfect for late-season sowing, especially in containers or deep raised beds.
Ready in 12–16 weeks.
👉 Shop Autumn King Carrot Seeds
Companion tip: Carrots grow happily near leeks and onions, which help deter carrot root fly.
🥬 Lettuce (Lollo Rossa or All The Year Round)
Quick and reliable, perfect for shady patches.
Sow little and often for a rolling harvest.
👉 Shop All The Year Round Lettuce
Companion tip: Pair with radishes and chives — the radishes mature quickly and help loosen soil for the lettuces.
🧄 Spring Onions (Lilia Salad Onion)
Fast and fuss-free. Perfect for sowing now for an autumn crop or early spring harvest.
👉 Shop Lilia Salad Onion Seeds
Companion tip: Interplant with beets or carrots — they don’t compete for space and can help with weed suppression.
🌸 What Flowers Can I Sow in August?
Late summer is ideal for biennials and hardy annuals that will flower early next year.
🌸 Sweet William 'Single Crowned Mix'
Sow now for strong spring blooms.
A magnet for bees and butterflies.
🌼 Calendula Art Shades
Will flower late into autumn if sown now.
Easy to grow — perfect for kids and beginner gardeners.
Companion tip: Calendula is a brilliant pest deterrent when planted near tomatoes, lettuce, and carrots. Its sticky stems trap aphids.
🪴 Herbs to Sow Now
🌿 Coriander & Dill
Both do better in cooler weather — sow now and harvest well into autumn.
🌻 Bonus Idea: Sow for Spring!
August is your moment to get a head start on spring flowers. Try sowing:
🌿 Let’s Talk Companion Planting
A few easy combos to try this month:
| 🌱 Veggie | 👯♂️ Companion | 🚫 Avoid Planting With |
|---|---|---|
| Carrots | Leeks, onions | Dill |
| Lettuce | Chives, radish | Parsley |
| Onions | Beetroot, spinach | Beans |
| Calendula | Tomatoes, carrots | None |
| Dill | Cabbage, lettuce | Carrots |
🧺 Encourage Pollinators and Boost Biodiversity
Even if your veg patch is full, sowing pollinator-friendly blooms like calendula, cosmos, and cornflowers now can bring beneficial insects that support your whole garden’s health.
🌱 Start Small, Grow Big
Sowing seeds in August doesn’t need a grand plan — even a few pots or a grow bag will do. With thoughtful companion planting, your plot can work smarter (not harder) and reward you with vibrant colour, fresh flavours, and a flourishing mini-ecosystem.
Happy sowing!