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Jules’s favourite summer veg to sow now

  • Last updated: 8 August 2025
Mind the gap! Gardener Jules Duncan shares five of her favourite crops to sow and grow in late summer.
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Jules shows you there’s still plenty of tasty treats to be growing in August.

After months of sowing and harvesting, you could be forgiven for thinking the growing season is grinding to a halt. Once the seed-sowing frenzy of spring and early summer is over, it can be easy to assume there’s little to grow and harvest – but that’s definitely not the case.

Whether you have gaps to fill, or you’ve just taken on a new garden or allotment, there are plenty of vegetables to sow now that you can enjoy before the first frosts. Not only will this provide you with nutrient-rich greens and a pop of colour, but it will also save you money buying shop-bought produce. 

In fact, there are many benefits to sowing now: the soil is warm, light levels are good and there’s no danger of frost. For some crops, late sowing also brings benefits when it comes to managing pests. Radishes, for example, are far less likely to be attacked by flea beetle when sown in August compared with spring-sown plants.

  1. Radishes 

Sow until the end of August, either directly in the ground or in a container and cover with a sprinkling of soil. Thin out the seedlings when they emerge. Most varieties will be ready to harvest in six weeks, when they are around 2cms across. Pickled radishes store well, adding a touch of summer spice to your dinner plate, even in the depths of winter. 

Best varieties for summer sowing: French Breakfast, Long Scarlet. 

  1. Spinach 

Always choose a summer variety that can withstand the heat. Sow in a shallow, moist drill, in between rows of taller veg, such as peas, or in a container. Cover with 1.5cm soil. Harvest after 10 weeks for a mature plant, but baby leaves will be much quicker. 

Best varieties for summer sowing: Perpetual, Palco. 

  1. Herbs 

Fast-growing annual herbs will grow quickly in the warm soil, and while you enjoy the leaves, their fragrant flowers have the added benefit of attracting insects. Later, their seeds will make lovely natural food for birds. 

Best varieties for summer sowing: Dill, coriander, parsley. 

  1. Salad greens 

Quick-growing greens, such as salad leaves, rocket, mizuna and pak choi, will survive well into the autumn provided you cover them with fleece or a cloche to prevent frost damage. Some are pretty enough for the border or containers, including red orache, mizuna – green and purple varieties – or speckled mustard leaves. Ensure the ground is weed-free and sow thinly in rows, covering with a thin layer of soil. Harvest individual leaves as needed, or cut lettuce heads with a knife so the root regrows for a second flush. It’s not too late to sow nasturtium for edible flowers, leaves and seeds. 

Best varieties for summer sowing: Red Orache, Mustard Giant Red, Tom Thumb. Our Heritage Seed Library lettuce Northern Queen can be sown as late as September. 

  1. Greenhouse gap-fillers 

The protection of a greenhouse, cold frame or tunnel can help you extend your season even further. Succession-sow salad leaves and winter lettuce into spent compost used by your other crops, or try some baby carrots in larger containers. Continue to sow parsley and coriander. Potatoes can also be planted in bags or trugs for a Christmas crop.