Curious what you should plant in Tucson in August? It's a great time in the low desert! Let's talk about what you can grow in August in Tucson.

tucson average temperature chart august highlighted
Tucson average daily high drops from 98F to 96F over the month of August.
Overnight average lows drop from 76F to 74F during August.

August can be a slow month for harvests in Tucson gardens. That said, if you planted pole beans earlier in the summer they may be ready now

pole beans plant with brown and green pods drying
Many pole beans like cowpeas, yard-longs, and red noodle beans ripen in August when there's not a lot else to harvest. A great staple for the pantry!

Planting

Cover Crops & Forage

1st Half of August

BROADCAST IN FIELD:

Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Cowpea, Fenugreek, Millet, Sesame, Sorghum, Sorghum-Sudan (hybrid), Sudangrass


DIRECT SOW / DRILL IN FIELD:

Buckwheat, Corn, Cowpea


2nd Half of August

BROADCAST IN FIELD:

Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Cowpea, Fenugreek, Millet, Sesame, Sorghum, Sorghum-Sudan (hybrid), Sudangrass


DIRECT SOW / DRILL IN FIELD:

Buckwheat, Corn, Cowpea


Warning!

if you're using sorghum, sorghum-sudan, or sudangrass as forage, understand that these grasses produce prussic acid and cyanide under certain conditions which may affect some livestock. Do thorough research before grazing animals on these.

Herbs

1st Half of August

SOW INDOORS:


HARDEN OFF & TRANSPLANT TO FIELD:


2nd Half of August

SOW INDOORS:


HARDEN OFF & TRANSPLANT TO FIELD:


Fruits & Vegetables

1st Half of August

SOW INDOORS:

Artichoke, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cannabis (Autoflower or Photoperiod), Cardoon, Cauliflower, Chili Pepper, Collards, Cowpea, Cucumber, Melon, Napa, Okra, Romanesco, Summer Squash, Sweet Pepper, Winter Squash


DIRECT SOW IN FIELD:

Cannabis (Autoflower or Photoperiod), Chili Pepper, Cowpea, Cucumber, Melon, Okra, Potato, Pumpkin, Summer Squash, Sweet Pepper, Winter Squash


HARDEN OFF & TRANSPLANT TO FIELD:

Cannabis (Autoflower or Photoperiod), Chili Pepper, Cowpea, Cucumber, Melon, Okra, Summer Squash, Winter Squash


2nd Half of August

SOW INDOORS:

Artichoke, Arugula, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cardoon, Cauliflower, Collards, Cucumber, Kale, Napa, Romanesco, Sweet Pepper, Swiss Chard


DIRECT SOW IN FIELD:

Cucumber, Potato, Pumpkin, Summer Squash, Sweet Pepper


HARDEN OFF & TRANSPLANT TO FIELD:

Cannabis (Autoflower or Photoperiod), Chili Pepper, Cowpea, Cucumber, Melon, Okra, Summer Squash, Sweet Pepper, Winter Squash


pumpkins plant lobed leaves growing in desert
If you'd like pumpkins that produce before the frosts come in a few months, direct sow them now with the monsoon rains. Be sure to sow them deeply (1"+) in case rains are inconsistent.

Grains, Seeds, & Cereals

1st Half of August

BROADCAST IN FIELD:

Buckwheat, Cowpea, Millet, Sesame, Sorghum


DIRECT SOW / DRILL IN FIELD:

Buckwheat, Corn, Cowpea


2nd Half of August

BROADCAST IN FIELD:

Buckwheat, Cowpea, Millet, Sesame, Sorghum


DIRECT SOW / DRILL IN FIELD:

Buckwheat, Corn, Cowpea


Flowers

1st Half of August

DIRECT SOW IN FIELD:


2nd Half of August

DIRECT SOW IN FIELD:


Harvesting

Produce

1st Half of August

Basil, Chili Pepper, Lemon Balm, Lemongrass, Melon, Mint, Okra, Pole Bean, Rosemary, Summer Squash, Sweet Pepper, Winter Squash


2nd Half of August

Basil, Chili Pepper, Lemon Balm, Lemongrass, Melon, Mint, Okra, Pole Bean, Rosemary, Summer Squash, Sweet Pepper, Winter Squash


okra plant flowering in summer garden
If you planted okra earlier in the summer, it may be ready to harvest now. If not, there's still time to get some planted!

Seed Saving

1st Half of August


2nd Half of August


Cut Flowers

1st Half of August


2nd Half of August


Weeding

Weeds to Pull

Spurge

More Tucson Planting Guides

« July   

Check out the Tucson
planting guide for July


« July Planting Guide  

   September »

Check out the Tucson
planting guide for September


  September Planting Guide »

All Months

Find the full list of Tucson monthly planting guides here


All Monthly Guides

Know some plants I missed for August in Tucson? I'd love to hear from you in the comments!