And no matter what you plant now, keep watering during dry spells! So, if your first frost is usually in mid-October, and the seed package or plant tag says an edible is '45 days to maturity,' you likely still have time for a harvest-especially if you choose plants that prefer cooler weather, such as greens. Check with your local university coop extension service to find the first expected frost date in your area, then count backward. This is so you can ensure ample time to grow before the frost hits. If you plan on adding to your fruit and vegetable gardens, it's important to pay attention to how long plants take to reach maturity before you put them in the ground. In fact, some flowers, like in-ground hydrangeas, are actually best planted in late summer and early fall to give the roots enough time to settle in before the winter. If you're wondering what to plant in August, there are plenty of short-season edibles and ornamentals (like cold-hardy grasses and summer-friendly flowers) to refresh your faded and wilting flower beds. The end of the summer isn't too late to sow your seeds.

But for fast-growing crops and flowers, there's still plenty of time to ensure a plentiful bounty.

It makes sense that peak growing season is in the spring and early summer months to avoid scalding heat waves and get ready for harvest before the first frost.

Golden autumn's farm seeds