An appropriately planted raised bed can be harvested as early as May and June: spinach, various lettuce, radishes, early kohlrabi and early carrots are already ripe at this point. Now the space that has been freed up can be used for a whole range of other plantings.

Lettuce thrives in raised beds almost all year round

Observe the rules for crop rotation and mixed cultivation

However, before you start planting, it is best to first draw up a planting plan: Which plants can still be in the bed in July does not only depend on the season. For example, if you have a classic layered raised bed, it is not advisable to plant a lot of lettuce in the first year or two. In freshly layered raised beds, the nitrogen content is very high, which is a disadvantage for leafy vegetables that consume less energy: These store the excess nitrogen content in the form of harmful nitrate in their leaves. Therefore, wait about three to four years before cultivating lettuce, lamb's lettuce, radishes and various herbs on a newly created raised bed. In addition, please note when planting that not all plants get along with each other; this also applies to a cultural succession.

You can still sow these plants

Many fast-growing vegetables such as radishes, French beans, mangetout, various salads (e.g. lettuce, radicchio, lettuce, rocket, lamb's lettuce) as well as spinach, dill, endive, fennel and (autumn) radish can still be grown in the second half of July and in some cases even sown directly into the bed in the first half of August and finally harvested in autumn. Sow parsley, beetroot and yellow turnips for next year's harvest. If you are unsure about the sowing date: Be sure to follow the recommendations on the back of the seed sachet. Not all varieties tolerate the long days and the often warm temperatures in summer and then tend to shoot too quickly.

Young plants for a faster harvest

Many vegetables that do not grow quite as quickly can still be grown in July, provided you place early young plants in the bed. It is still worth planting broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts, kale, endive, leeks and fennel for a late autumn harvest. In addition, now is the time to plant the new strawberries, if you prefer varieties that bear fruit often.

tips

With a cold frame attachment or a foil tunnel (€11.46), the planting and harvesting season in the raised bed can be extended by a few weeks.

Category:

Vegetable garden