An appropriately planted raised bed can be harvested as early as May and June: spinach, various lettuces, radishes, early kohlrabi and early carrots are already ripe at this point. Now the freed up space can be used for a whole range of other plantings.
What plants can you grow in raised beds in July?
In July, fast-growing vegetables such as radishes, bush beans, sugar peas, various lettuces, spinach, dill, winter endives, bulbous fennel and (autumn) radishes can be sown in raised beds. Early young plants of broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts, kale, endive, leek and fennel are suitable for a late autumn harvest.
Observe rules for crop rotation and mixed culture
Before you start planting, it's best to first create a planting plan: which plants can still go into the bed in July doesn't just depend on the time of year. For example, if you have a classic layered raised bed, planting many lettuces in the first one or two years is not advisable. In freshly layered raised beds, the nitrogen content is very high, which is a disadvantage, especially for leafy vegetables that tend to eat poorly: These store the excess nitrogen 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. When planting, please also note that not all plants get along with each other; This also applies to a cultural sequence.
You can still sow these plants
Many fast-growing vegetables such as radishes, bush beans, sugar peas, various salads (e.g. lettuce, radicchio, lettuce, rocket, lamb's lettuce) as well as spinach, dill, winter endive, bulbous fennel and (autumn) radish can still be grown in the second half of July and sometimes even sown directly into the bed in the first half of August and finally harvested in autumn. Sow parsley, beetroot and yellow beets 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 bags. Not all varieties can tolerate the long days and often warm temperatures in summer and then tend to shoot too quickly.
Young plants for a faster harvest
Many vegetables that don't grow quite so quickly can still be grown in July, as long as you put early young plants in the bed. Planting broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts, kale, endive, leeks and fennel for a late autumn harvest is still worthwhile. In addition, now is the time to plant new strawberries if you prefer more frequent varieties.
Tip
With a cold frame attachment or a polytunnel, the planting and harvesting season in raised beds can be extended by a few weeks.
