Top 5 for August

As we reach the end of July and head into August, it’s hot! In Missouri, the humidity hangs thick in the air, and most gardening is best done in the early morning or evening hours. This is creek season, when the garden gives generously — tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, herbs, melons, and flowers are all at their peak. We’re basking in the rewards of summer’s labor.

But even in the heat, our sunburnt garden crew is already thinking ahead. Now’s the time to prep for fall planting — a season we cherish for its cooler temps, longer harvest window, and the opportunity to grow some of the most flavorful vegetables and cold-hardy flowers of the year.

We’ve picked five of our favorite fall garden crops to sow in late summer. These varieties are perfect for getting the most out of your space before winter sets in.

Let’s dig in.

1. Bok Choy — A Cool Weather Crop to Plant in Fall

Bok Choy is one of the most rewarding cool weather crops to grow in fall. With its crisp stalks and tender leaves, it’s perfect for salads, soups, stir-fries, or the grill. It grows quickly, tolerates light frost, and is incredibly satisfying to harvest.

We offer an outstanding lineup of heirloom bok choy, from mini to full-sized varieties.

Our favorites:

• Purple Lady – A gorgeous violet-hued variety with antioxidant-rich leaves and a mild, sweet flavor.
• Baby Milk – A compact white-stemmed type with tender texture; perfect for tight spaces or containers.
• Hedou Tiny – A truly miniature bok choy that matures lightning fast — ideal for gardeners wanting quick results.

Fall growing tip: Direct sow bok choy in late August to early September. In zones 4–9, fall-planted bok choy matures in as little as 30 days and thrives as nights cool down. Be sure to space appropriately — smaller types like Hedou Tiny can be tightly planted, while larger heads need more room.

Baby Milk Bok Choy | Ivory-white, sweet-flavored stems against forest green foliage make for a stunning contrast of colors.

2. Pansies — Cold Hardy Flowers for Fall Color

Don’t overlook pansies when planning your fall garden! These hardy flowers are resilient to cool temperatures and offer bold, cheerful color long after summer blooms fade. Bonus: they’re edible and can be used in fall salads, desserts, and drinks.

We’ve curated some truly unique pansy varieties to brighten your fall beds and borders.

Our favorites:

• Brush Strokes – Delicate, painterly blooms in soft watercolors. Each one looks hand-crafted.
• Trumpets Mix – A vivid mix of trumpet-shaped petals in rich jewel tones.
• Tiger Laeta – Eye-catching and exotic with fierce stripes and bold color contrast.

Fall growing tip: Direct sow pansies in August through early September. In zones 7–10, pansies may continue blooming deep into fall and even winter. They’re ideal for containers, borders, and companion planting with fall vegetables.

Celestial Blue Pansy | A sky-blue pansy representing one of the rarest and most sought-after colors in the plant kingdom!

3. Winter Radishes — A Fall Superstar

Not all radishes are spring crops — in fact, many winter radish varieties thrive in fall, where they develop milder flavor, better crunch, and impressive size. They love cool weather and are one of the easiest root vegetables to grow late in the season.

Our favorites:

• Chinese Red Meat (Watermelon Radish) – Pale green on the outside with vibrant pink flesh. Crisp, juicy, and stunning on a plate.
• Minowase Daikon – A long, mild Japanese variety that’s great for fermenting, pickling, or fresh eating.
• Sakurajima Giant – One of the largest radishes in the world, with a mild flavor and massive roots.
• Blue Autumn – A new German variety with a deep, earthy flavor and blocky shape that’s perfect for fall harvest.

Fall growing tip: Sow radish seeds directly in the garden in late August through September. Ideal for USDA zones 3–9. These radishes grow large, so give them space and loose, well-draining soil.

Chinese Red Meat Radish | This colorful “Beauty Heart” radish of historic China has 4-inch round roots with white-and-green skin, but the magic is in its rose-red center, which is sweet, crisp, and delicious.

4. Carrots — The Sweetest Fall Vegetable

Carrots absolutely shine in fall. Cooler nights stimulate sugar production in the roots, making fall-grown carrots extra sweet and crisp. With a little planning, you can harvest delicious carrots well into late fall — or even overwinter them in the ground with mulch.

Our favorites:

• Kyoto Red – A beautiful red Japanese heirloom with deep color and unbeatable flavor. Perfect for fall cooking and juicing.
• New Kuroda – A robust carrot known for wide, juicy roots and quick growth. This Asian variety excels in fall’s milder conditions.
• Oxheart – Short and blocky, but sweet and surprisingly tender. Performs well in heavier soils and cold climates.

Fall growing tip: Plant carrots 8–10 weeks before your average first frost. Keep the soil evenly moist during germination (which can take 7–14 days), and thin seedlings early. Carrots can tolerate frost and even store in- ground in zones 6 and up with straw mulch.

Kyoto Red Carrot | Our favorite carrot with its sweet, fruit-like flavor! This is a Japanese Kintoki-type (sweet red) carrot.

5. Kale — The King of Fall Greens

Kale is a cold weather champion. This hardy green continues to thrive long after other crops fade, and its flavor improves dramatically after a frost. Whether you’re blending it into smoothies, massaging it for salad, or tossing it in a skillet, kale delivers both nutrition and staying power in the garden.

Our favorites:

• Scarlet Kale – A vibrant red variety with frilly leaves and outstanding cold resistance. Beautiful and bold in both garden and kitchen.
• Lacinato (Dino Kale)Nero Di Toscana – A beloved heirloom with dark, textured leaves and rich flavor. Great for sautéing or soup.
• Siberian Kale – One of the most cold-tolerant kales available, perfect for zones with early frosts.

Fall growing tip: Sow seeds from late summer to mid-September. In zones 5–10, kale can keep producing into winter and even early spring. Space plants 12–18 inches apart and harvest outer leaves as needed.

Scarlet Red Kale | A lovely curled “red” kale that produces lots of delicious, frilly leaves and takes the chill of winter in stride!

Final Thoughts: Make the Most of Your Fall Garden

Fall gardening is a second chance to enjoy your growing space — often with fewer pests, less watering, and some of the most flavorful harvests of the year. From cold hardy vegetables like bok choy and kale to colorful, edible blooms like pansies, there’s so much you can grow right now.

Whether you're in the Midwest like us, the Pacific Northwest, or the southern U.S., fall offers unique planting windows and opportunities to extend your growing season. Check your local USDA zone and first frost date, then start sowing!

Ready to plant? Explore our full selection of fall garden seeds at RareSeeds.com, and share your harvests by tagging us on social — we love seeing what you grow!