What's in Season in August? | Produce, Planting

Weeks of slow gardening and nurturing are finally rewarded with the freshest of produce and simple garden to table lunches and dinner parties in August. From peppers to courgettes, tomatoes and cucumbers, there are plenty of delicious ingredients to enjoy.

When it comes to flowers, August also delivers with some show-stopping cut flowers. Among our favourites are dahlias, which continue to produce blooms until the end of summer and sometimes into October.

Between the produce and the slow flowers, we’ve got all the ingredients for an alfresco slow living feast with a beautiful tablescape in August.

What produce is in season in August?

Cucumbers, tomatoes, chillies, peppers, aubergines, beans, peas, carrots, fennel, salad leaves, broccoli, beetroot and celery are among the best fresh crops to harvest or buy in August.

Plums, blueberries and blackberries (coming into season) are also on offer in August. Seasonal favourites, strawberries, continue to be enjoyed this month, too. While blackberries go beautifully with apples, you’ll have to wait until late September and October for apple season.

Browse the full list of seasonal fruits and vegetables by month in the UK.

Seasonal recipe inspiration for August:

Seasonal spotlight: courgette

Courgettes come in so many shapes and sizes, plus a number of green and yellow shades that always look fantastic on a plate together.

Courgettes are delicious grilled or griddled with garlic and added to pasta dishes or risottos, and also work well in curries and soups as they soak up flavours.

In warm weather, you may be picking multiple courgettes a week, so you might need to start getting creative. The creative, mindful aspects of cooking are some of the reasons why it’s a great activity for slow living.

Seasonal, slow living activities for August

Seasonal living and slow food is all about embracing the seasons and enjoying what’s on our doorstep at that time of year. In summer, we have more daylight hours to get outdoors and can eat alfresco more than at any other time. There are plenty of ways to slow down and make the most of August:

Go blackberry picking this month

Blackberries are the stars of the hedgerows come late summer. Read our guide to foraging blackberries for tips for finding the juiciest berries. Picking blackberries is sure to evoke nostalgic memories, why not create some new ones with your family?

More ideas for slow, seasonal living activities this month:

Visit a sunflower field
Make jam with seasonal berries and fruits
Fill your home with seasonal, slow flowers such as dahlias
Embrace garden to table eating with a seasonal dinner party (try these seasonal recipe books) or visit a supper club to savour those alfresco evenings
Press flowers from the garden to make into cards and gift tags, or to frame
Collect seeds for sowing next year
Set up your own outdoor cinema or visit a screening
Pack a seasonal picnic

For more inspiration on savouring and styling with the season, head to our August Pinterest board.

What is the slow food movement?

Learn more about Slow Food and the origins of the wider slow living movement.

Gather & Feast

See our latest inspirational for slow, seasonal living.

More seasonal inspiration:

Slow Food