What to Plant in August in Cape Town — Sowday

Vegetables

61 in season

Amaranth Greens

Direct sow · pinch tips often for a steady flush of tender greens

Armenian Cucumber

Direct sow · wait for warm soil; trellis for straighter fruit

Start indoors · seedlings need a cold snap to set buds in year one

Direct sow · sow every 2-3 weeks for a steady peppery harvest

Plant crowns · resist harvesting until the second or third spring

Herbs

14 in season

Start indoors · loves heat, don't rush it outside before frost

Direct sow · prefers cool shade, bolts quickly once hot

Direct sow · bolts fast in heat, sow small batches often

Direct sow · taproot resents transplanting, sow direct

Direct sow · cut flower heads early or it self-seeds everywhere

Fruit

9 in season

Plant canes · thornless varieties are easiest for small gardens

Plant bushes · needs acidic soil and a second variety to pollinate

Plant canes · prune out canes older than three years each winter

Plant canes · mind the thorns; pick slightly underripe for pies

Ground Cherries

Transplant seedlings · let ripe fruit drop; husks turn tan and papery