Planting guide

What to plant in Cape Town, South Africa in August

Mediterranean · Western Cape Southern Hemisphere August

August sits at the tail end of the Western Cape winter, moving into spring — the wet season is ending and it is one of the best windows to get spring and summer crops started before the dry, windy months ahead.

Plant now

Beans, peas

Sow now for a summer harvest as temperatures rise.

Beetroot, carrots, radish

Reliable cool-into-warm season root vegetables for this transition month.

Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant

Can be started now, ideally with some frost protection early in the month in cooler spots.

Lavender

August is a good month to plant out lavender varieties for a spring-summer display.

Spring bulbs: gladioli, dahlias, cannas

Plant summer-flowering bulbs now for colour later in the season.

Timing notes

  • August is typically the windiest month in much of South Africa — stake new trees and tall seedlings so they aren’t damaged before roots establish.
  • This is a transitional month: hold off on the most heat-loving crops until the last frost risk has clearly passed in your specific spot.
  • Prepare beds with compost now so summer vegetables have rich soil to grow into.
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