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Fruit Trees to Plant for an August Harvest

Fruit Trees to Plant for an August Harvest - Nature Hills Nursery

Charlotte Weidner |

The last days of summer for many parts of the country, August can be a mix of hot summer-like days and cool nights. Cicadas and grasshoppers buzz, butterflies and bees are in full swing, and many of your flowers have taken a break from blooming in the heat, as the air itself seems to just hang heavy from the humidity!

Dog days of summer garden

Gardeners in cooler climates might even start seeing foliage change and need a sweatshirt at night. After all, your first frost date is the beginning of September!

For gardeners in warmer climates, the dog days of summer seem to be showing little in the way of relief from the heat.

But across the country, one thing remains constant - August means peak harvest season is in full swing!

The August Harvest Season

The first August fruits are starting to ripen on branches covered in war-torn, sun-baked foliage that’s tired and ready for fall. Those leaves have been ardently protecting their bounty from the brunt of summer thunderstorms, sun, heat and insect damage - so they may not look the best by now. The temperatures are hot all day and summer may be winding down on the calendar, but you’d never know it when you walk outside and immediately start sweating!

August is high time for a large bounty of fresh summer produce!

Perhaps you are just finishing drying or ‘putting up’ cans of your July bounty and getting ready for more August preserves and goodies from the garden! This is prime tomato and pepper weather with long hot days and, depending on your climate.

Here’s a breakdown of the fruit trees that generally ripen in time for your summer get-togethers, barbecues, and block parties!

August Fruit Trees By Type

Apples

Lots of Apples are ripening now and August is the start of Apple season for many parts of the country. August-ripening Apples are great for fresh eating, desserts, preserves, baking and sauces!

apple in a tree

No room? Try a North Pole Columnar Apple or the Tangy Green Urban and Tasty Red Urban!

Apricots & Apriums

While typically a June and July harvest, Apricots have a few August-ripening cultivars available in this group of fruit trees! Again, your growing zone and climate will have a lot to determine when ripeness is achieved.

  • Autumn Glow - Season starts in August!
  • Puget Gold
  • Wenatchee

Aprium (Plum/Apricot Hybrid)

Cherries & Pluerry

Cherries are usually a June crop and usually, most trees are done fruiting by the hot summer months. However, there are a few exceptions to that rule! Especially in cooler zones with late growing season starts, there are a few lingering trees that are still ready for harvest.

Sweet Cherries

  • Romeo and Juliet Cherries - In cold growing zones

Sour/Tart Cherries

pluerry

Tropical 'Cherry'

  • Barbados

Pluerry

Avocado

Warmer climates will see the first Avocados begin to ripen in August!

  • Donnie
  • Fantastic
  • Joey
  • Lila
  • Little Cado

Citrus

Most Citrus fruits are harvested in winter, but the exact month depends on the type of Citrus and the climate it is grown in. Limes (Citrus aurantifolia) and Lemons (Citrus limon) ripen all year.

Chicago Hardy Fig

Fig Trees

Unique and succulent fruit!

Guava Trees

These tropical trees have a long extended harvest throughout the summer months!

Mango Trees

Ripening throughout the summer months, August is often the middle of the season for Mangos in warmer climates.

  • Kiett - Ripen July through September
  • Tebow - Begin to ripen

Pear Trees

Most Pear varieties are harvested in fall, but August is the start of the earlier Pear-ripening season! The early season tree-ripened summer Pears are winding down but may still be on the tree. Many Pears including Chojuro, Fan-Stil, Southern Bartlett and Hosui start ripening in the later parts of this month.

Peach & NectarineTrees

Most Peaches and Nectarines are August ripe treats! Depending on the hardiness zone they are being grown in, these are very well-known summertime treats!

peaches on a tree

Peaches

Nectarines

Pomegranate

Typically a later fall crop, Pomegranate begins to ripen in warmer climates in August.

Plums, Plumcots & Interspecific

Most Plum and related varieties begging to harvest in August and into fall depending upon the specific varieties and depending upon the climate you are growing in. Often ripening in July, Golden Nectar Plum, Geopride Plumcot and French Petite European Plums remain on the tree and continue to ripen into August as well!

plum trees

Plums

Plumcots and Pluots

Frequently Asked Questions About August Fruit Trees

What Fruit Tree Produces Fruit Fastest?

Most grafted trees produce fruit their first year in the ground, but you shouldn’t let them so they can focus on establishing roots first.

All of Nature Hills' fruit trees and some shrubs are grafted onto a rootstock which ensures you’ll see your first harvest between 3-5 years of age. We then ship mature root systems that are already at least 3 years of age, so once your plant has been established in your native soil, you’ll not be waiting long for that first harvest!

Can You Plant Fruit Trees in Late Summer or August?

watering fruit trees

August is usually hazy, hot summer weather which can make trying to establish a young tree very challenging. But it can be done! For those in cooler climates zones 4 and below, now is prime planting and harvest weather. If you are in a very hot growing zone, it might be best to wait until autumn and things cool off since your area may yet have a couple of months of hot weather remaining.

In any case, with careful watering and frequent attention to the watering detail (sometimes twice a day), you can have a very successful August planting! So that means go ahead and plant!

Weather & Climate Variations

Harvest dates can vary depending upon where you are growing your plants. Plus the amount of sun available may have some impact on ripening too. You can always check with your local County Agricultural Extension office for information on the best trees for your area!

Keep in mind, that weather patterns, a late or early spring, unpredictable summer temperatures, and your growing zone all greatly affect when fruit trees flower and when the fruit ripens! There is a tremendous amount of variation in ripening dates between zone 4 and zone 9 which can and will greatly affect the harvest times depending upon where you are growing the plants.

August Success Plantings

finger test

Be sure to plant in a well-watered location with ample organic and enriched soil. Avoid fertilizer at first, water will be your tree's best friend these first few very hot and steamy months. Saturate the planting area before and after planting your tree then use the finger test to ensure the soil remains moist consistently, checking every couple of days. Sometimes checked daily if you are seeing temperatures over 90°F (32.°C). Very fast-draining soils, even a couple of times a day.

Include Nature Hills Root Booster when planting and top the soil off with 3-4 inches of arborist bark chips covering the ground a couple of feet from the trunk. This helps hold in moisture and keep things on an even keel. It also insulates new roots from the summer heat and lowers evaporation.

Summer is also the best time to prune your tree to shape and control the size, plus remove water sprout growth. Read more about pruning fruit trees here!

Refreshing Summer Treats

End-of-summer barbecues, the last pool parties before school starts, and healthy refreshing treats, all become so much more special with fresh fruit picked from your own backyard! Nothing is quite as wholesome as watching your family pick fresh produce from your own tree in your home edible garden! You’ll know exactly what went into, and onto, your plants!

All of the above trees offer spring blooms, shade, and sometimes fall color and all increase your property value while supplementing your diet with fresh fruit, preserves, delicious baked goods and sauces for all your favorite recipes.

kids picking fruit

The edible landscaping craze is sweeping the nation! Secure your fresh food access and sustainability, and increase your fresh food variety and availability, regardless of the amount of room you have available! It’s easy with quality fruit trees from Nature Hills! These double-duty trees and plants are not just healthy food for your pantry but also ornamental flowering landscape additions that provide shade and curb appeal as well!

Don’t forget to pick up a suitable pollinator for your fruit tree or shrub should they need a pollination buddy! And check out high-density planting to save even more space! Achieve successful home orchards and kick summer harvests into high gear by including these mid-late season trees in your orchard!

As always, head over to NatureHills.com #ProPlantTips for care and Garden Blog any time to get started!

Happy Planting!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which fruit trees should I plant now if I want an August harvest?
For an August harvest, plant apple varieties like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Ginger Gold, which ripen reliably in August across most growing zones. Apricot varieties such as Autumn Glow and Puget Gold also deliver August fruit, as do late-season peaches, plums, and pears depending on your climate. Keep in mind that most fruit trees take 3 to 5 years to reach full production, so planting now is an investment in future harvests. Visit naturehills.com to filter fruit trees by harvest time and find the varieties best suited to your specific growing zone.

What fruits are typically ready to harvest in August?
August is one of the most abundant harvest months, with a wide variety of fruits reaching peak ripeness across the country. Apples such as Gala, Honeycrisp, Ginger Gold, and Empire begin their season in August, while late-ripening Apricot varieties like Autumn Glow and Puget Gold also come into their own this month. Plums, Peaches, Pears, and certain Aprium hybrids round out a truly impressive summer harvest lineup. Visit Nature Hills to explore August-ripening cultivars suited to your specific growing zone so you can plan a succession of fresh fruit from your own backyard.

Which fruit trees grow well in hot summer climates?
Many fruit trees thrive in hot summer climates, including Apricots, Apriums, and late-ripening Apple varieties like Gala, Honeycrisp, and Cameo, all of which benefit from long, hot days to develop full sweetness and flavor. Gardeners in warmer zones will find that August is peak harvest season for many of these varieties, with heat-tolerant options available across a range of ripening windows. Visit naturehills.com to filter fruit trees by your growing zone and find the best varieties suited to your specific climate conditions.

Can I plant a fruit tree in August and still expect a good harvest?
Planting a fruit tree in August is generally not recommended, as the intense summer heat stresses newly planted trees and makes establishment difficult before winter. Most fruit trees need a full growing season to develop the root system required to support a productive harvest, and trees planted in late summer often struggle to meet that threshold. For best results, plant bare root trees in late winter or early spring, or container-grown trees in fall once temperatures cool below 85 degrees F, and focus on soil preparation and consistent watering to set your new tree up for a strong first harvest in the years ahead.

Is late August too late to plant fruit trees this season?
Late August planting is generally not recommended for bare root trees, but container-grown fruit trees can still be planted successfully in Zones 7 and warmer, where soil stays workable and roots have time to establish before dormancy. In cooler zones (4-6), you risk not giving roots enough time to settle in before the ground freezes, which can stress or kill a newly planted tree. If you are in a warmer climate, plant immediately, water deeply, and apply 3-4 inches of mulch around the root zone to help regulate soil temperature and retain moisture through the transition.

How do I care for a newly planted fruit tree during hot August weather?
Newly planted fruit trees need extra attention during August heat, as temperatures can stress young root systems that haven't yet established. Water deeply and slowly at the base two to three times per week, providing roughly 10 gallons per session, and apply a 3 to 4 inch layer of mulch around the root zone to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Avoid fertilizing during peak summer heat, as this encourages tender new growth that can scorch. Focus your energy on consistent watering and monitor the tree daily for wilting, which signals it needs water immediately.

Which fruit trees produce the fastest so I can harvest sooner?
Peach and nectarine trees are among the fastest-bearing fruit trees, often producing a meaningful harvest within 2 to 3 years of planting. Apricots and plums are similarly quick, frequently fruiting by year 3. For the fastest possible results, purchase the largest available tree size from Nature Hills, as more established trees have a significant head start over bare-root whips. Focus on varieties suited to your USDA hardiness zone to avoid setbacks that can delay fruiting by a full season or more.

Should I plant bare root or container grown fruit trees for an August harvest?
Both bare root and container grown fruit trees can produce an August harvest, but the right choice depends on your timing and location. Bare root trees must be planted during dormancy in late winter or early spring, typically between January and March depending on your zone, and are often less expensive with a wider variety selection. Container grown trees offer more flexibility since they can be planted from spring through early fall, making them ideal if you missed the bare root window. Choose bare root for the best selection and value if you plan ahead, or go with a container grown tree from naturehills.com for a reliable planting option throughout the growing season.

How many chill hours do August harvesting fruit trees typically need?
Chill hour requirements vary widely among August-harvesting fruit trees, ranging from as few as 150 to 200 hours for low-chill varieties suited to USDA zones 8 to 10, up to 800 to 1,000 hours for standard varieties grown in zones 4 to 7. For example, early-ripening Apples like Gala typically need around 500 to 600 chill hours, while Honeycrisp requires closer to 800 to 1,000 hours. Check the specific chill hour requirement for each variety you are considering and compare it to your region's average annual chill hours, which your local cooperative extension office can provide, to ensure a reliable August harvest.

Can I grow August harvesting fruit trees in containers or small spaces?
Yes, many August-harvesting fruit trees can be grown in containers or small spaces, making them an excellent option for patios, balconies, and compact yards. Columnar apple varieties like the North Pole Columnar Apple or the Urban series (Tangy Green Urban and Tasty Red Urban) are specifically bred for tight spaces and container culture. Choose a large container of at least 15 to 25 gallons, use a well-draining potting mix, and ensure your selection is suited to your hardiness zone before purchasing.
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