August 2026
Hey there, fabulous gardeners of the Mid-Ohio Valley! August is that sweet (and sweaty) stretch when the garden is still running full throttle but starting to think about fall—think tomatoes still pumping out, okra pods standing tall, and the first cool-season seedlings sneaking into empty spots. Days are still long and warm in USDA Zones 6 and 7, but the light is shifting and those first cooler nights are on the horizon. Focus on deep watering, heavy harvesting, pest and disease patrol, and getting fall crops in the ground while the soil is still warm. We’ve blended Mid-Ohio Valley know-how, WVU Extension tips, and plenty of dirt-under-the-fingernails experience into week-by-week tasks. Grab your iced tea, slap on the sunscreen one more time, and let’s keep that garden productive right into autumn! 🌞🍅🥬
| 🌙 Moon Phase | Date | Garden Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| 🌗 Last Quarter | Thursday, August 6th | Barren Time, Weed & Maintain |
| 🌑 New Moon | Wednesday, August 12th | Plant Seeds and Transplants |
| 🌓 First Quarter | Thursday, August 20th | Plant or Harvest Aboveground Crops |
| 🌕 Full Moon | Friday, August 28th | Plant Root Crops |
Week 31 (July 27–August 2, 2026 – wrapping from July)
Monday, July 27–Sunday, August 2: Keep harvesting tomatoes, beans, zucchini, and okra regularly so plants stay productive. Top up mulch (2–4 inches) to hold moisture and cool roots during late-summer heat. Deep water consistently (aim for 1–1.5 inches per week, early morning preferred). Scout for hornworms, squash bugs, and powdery mildew. Start clearing finished beds for fall plantings.
Week 32 (August 3–9, 2026)
Gallia County Junior Fair Week
Monday, August 3: Seed beans and peas for a fall crop where space opens up.
Tuesday, August 4: Plant cabbage and napa Chinese cabbage for fall harvest. Seed spinach and fall carrots.
Wednesday, August 5: Seed lettuce for fall. Watch for downy mildew on susceptible crops.
Thursday, August 6 – Last Quarter Moon: Barren time—focus on weeding, turning compost, and general maintenance. Hand-pick pests and remove diseased foliage.
Friday, August 7: Seed mustard greens, radishes, and fall cucumbers. Control broadleaf weeds in the lawn.
Saturday, August 8: Take notes on which varieties performed best this year—future you will thank present you. Seed more bush beans if space allows.
Sunday, August 9: Turn the compost pile and enjoy a garden walk. Harvest okra every other day for tender pods.
Week 33 (August 10–16, 2026)
Mason County Fair Week
Monday, August 10: Seed rutabagas and Asian greens. Keep harvesting okra and other summer favorites.
Tuesday, August 11: Watch closely for powdery mildew on pumpkins and winter squash—good airflow and morning watering help.
Wednesday, August 12 – New Moon: Prime planting day! Seed radishes, leeks, and any remaining fall greens. Plant strawberries if you’re expanding or renewing beds.
Thursday, August 13: Install sod if needed and seed fall herbs.
Friday, August 14: Continue pest and disease patrol. Side-dress heavy feeders still producing.
Saturday, August 15: Seed bok choy. Refresh mulch and check container moisture—they dry out fast.
Sunday, August 16: Seed winter-sprouting broccoli and keep harvesting.
Week 34 (August 17–23, 2026)
Meigs County Fair Week
Monday, August 17: Seed turnips. Plant collards for fall and winter harvests.
Tuesday, August 18: Seed lawn areas that need repair.
Wednesday, August 19: Seed spinach again and apply nitrogen to established strawberry beds if needed.
Thursday, August 20 – First Quarter Moon: Great for aboveground crops—harvest or plant more greens, beans, or herbs.
Friday, August 21: Keep succession sowing quick fall crops in any empty spots.
Saturday, August 22: Monitor soil moisture and adjust watering as nights cool slightly.
Sunday, August 23: Deadhead remaining flowers and enjoy the late-summer color.
Week 35 (August 24–30, 2026)
Monday, August 24: Seed Ethiopian kale (great arugula replacement) and fall green bunching onions.
Tuesday, August 25: Seed kale and kohlrabi.
Wednesday–Thursday, August 26–27: Continue harvesting and clearing finished summer crops. Prep beds for any last fall plantings.
Friday, August 28 – Full Moon: Focus on root crops or soil-building tasks. Turn compost.
Saturday–Sunday, August 29–30: Keep watering deeply, mulching, and harvesting. Note successful varieties and start thinking about cover crops or soil amendments for next season.
Week 36 (August 31–September 6, 2026 – heading into September)
Monday, August 31: Finish any remaining fall seedings. Stay ahead of weeds and pests as plants begin to slow. Water deeply and enjoy the transition—your consistent care now sets up a strong fall garden.
August in the Mid-Ohio Valley is pure garden momentum—hot days, full baskets, and the satisfying work of planting the next wave of crops. Stay consistent with water and mulch, laugh at the occasional zucchini that got away, and you’ll glide into a productive fall. Swing by Bob’s Market for supplies, plant recommendations, or just to chat gardening.
