Growing vegetables in a raised bed is a very good alternative to the classic vegetable bed. This form of cultivation can be used all year round for growing vegetables. But which winter vegetables are suitable for the raised bed?

In a nutshell

  • Raised beds offer the opportunity to grow vegetables even in autumn/winter
  • Suitable for pre-sowing for the coming garden year as well as for planting
  • in autumn/winter exclusively for winter vegetables
  • Winter vegetables are frost-resistant or require little protection from the cold

Suitable leaf and picking salads

Endive (Cichorium endivia)

  • Leafy greens with some frost tolerance
  • Temperatures down to minus five degrees are no problem
  • sowing until the end of August, harvesting until November and December
  • gradually harvest individual endive plants
  • Cut off the head just above the leaf rosette

Tip: The varieties 'Bubikopf', 'Grüne Große Krause' and 'Wallonne' are particularly suitable for raised beds.

Lamb's lettuce (Valerianella)

  • ideal as a follow-up culture for heavy feeders
  • Sow between mid-July and mid-September
  • sow for spring harvest in November
  • Cold improves the taste
  • if sown in September/October, harvest from November to December
  • for later sowing of frost-resistant varieties, harvest until March
  • root and base remain undamaged, harvest again a few weeks later

Arugula / rocket salad (Eruca sativa)

  • Lettuce with a slightly nutty taste
  • do not sow where cabbages used to be
  • Sow direct and plant out from September to early November
  • sow continuously if necessary
  • Harvest from November to March
  • Do not cut leaves too deeply for repeated harvest

Winter purslane (Claytonia perfoliata)

  • hardy, good overwintering culture
  • frost-resistant down to -20 degrees under closed snow cover
  • Sow from September to October with a cold frame attachment
  • Germination at temperatures below ten degrees
  • Harvest from November to April
  • Do not cut leaves too low for repeated harvest
  • young shoots are edible along with stems, leaves and flowers

Winter Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)

  • sow between mid-September and mid-October
  • prefer particularly frost-hardy and fast-growing varieties
  • Harvest from mid/end of November
  • when harvesting individual leaves, new sprouting
  • last harvest date early April
  • do without a mixed culture with heavy feeders

Tip: A mixed culture in the raised bed with winter vegetables such as endive, Asian lettuce, kale and cabbage in general, as well as parsnip and winter purslane has a positive effect.

lettuce

Cos lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longif.webpolia) 'Ovired'

  • Leaves initially similar to lamb's lettuce
  • good to use as a babyleaf salad
  • Sow in raised beds from March to July
  • with cold frame attachment, September to February
  • Germination at temperatures between 5 and 15 degrees
  • Harvest from May to October and November to April

Red-brown winter lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata 'Brune d'hiver')

  • delicate, loose head, wavy leaves
  • fresh green to reddish brown
  • the more sun, the redder the leaves
  • also tolerates low temperatures and rough conditions
  • Sow in raised beds from September
  • Plant out in March/April and October/November
  • Harvest around April/May

Sugar Loaf (Cichorium intybus var. foliosum)

  • annual autumn and winter lettuce
  • slightly bitter taste
  • Sow late June/early July
  • Harvest from October to Christmas
  • the later the harvest, the milder the taste
  • at best wait for the first frost
  • A break in cultivation of three to four years is recommended

cabbage varieties

Kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica L.)

  • a classic winter vegetable rich in vitamins
  • palm-like growth, bluish to violet, very curly leaves
  • can stay in the raised bed all winter
  • hardy to minus 15 degrees
  • Cover with fleece as a precaution in case of permafrost
  • Sow from May to August at the latest
  • Harvest after the first frost

Tip: Kale only develops its aromas under the influence of frost. The longer it is exposed to frost, the milder and sweeter the taste.

Kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes)

  • can stay in the raised bed over the winter
  • protect against periods of permafrost
  • Harvest even when frozen
  • sow for harvest in late autumn to early July
  • Plant out until early August
  • incompatible with itself and other cruciferous vegetables

Tip: For example, the winter vegetable varieties 'Blaro' and 'Lanro' are suitable for late cultivation in raised beds.

Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera)

  • Nutrient-rich special form of cabbage
  • even early varieties tolerate low temperatures down to minus ten degrees
  • Sow directly in the bed at the end of March to the beginning of May
  • better sow in early spring
  • longer cultivation period of approx. 165 days
  • Ready for harvest from November
  • do not grow other cruciferous vegetables for at least three years

Red cabbage (Brassica oleracea convar. capitata var. rubra)

  • smooth, tightly fitting, reddish to violet leaves
  • grows a little slower than white cabbage
  • Heads stay a little smaller
  • late varieties are suitable for raised beds
  • Sow directly from May, harvest in autumn
  • late varieties are 'Marner Lagerrot' and 'Autoro F1'

Savoy cabbage (Brassica oleracea convar. capitata var. sabauda)

  • heads with curled leaves
  • grows slightly faster than other types of cabbage
  • Sow later varieties from July
  • Hibernation in the bed
  • Harvest well into winter, even in permafrost
  • not plant any types of cabbage for at least four years
  • late varieties are e.g. B. 'Alaska F1', 'Marner Grüfewi' and 'Langendijská'

allium plants

Leek (Allium porrum)

  • green sticks with a tall white shaft
  • Sow from February to May
  • No-till not recommended
  • plant from April to July
  • Cultivation period from planting about three months
  • Harvest until March, depending on location and weather

Tip: Suitable varieties of winter vegetables for raised beds are 'D'hiver de Saint Victor', 'Blaugrüner Winter', 'Bleu Solaise' and 'Forrest'.

Winter hedge onions/spring onions (Allium fistulosum)

  • hardy, perennial bulbous plant
  • related to spring onions
  • does not form onions
  • Sow generally from March to August
  • if sown in spring, first harvest-ready chimneys in autumn
  • if sowing later, harvest in winter or early spring

Tip: Winter hedge bulbs can also be planted in dense rows to form a small hedge.

root vegetable

Parsnips (Pastinaca sativa)

  • Cultivation possible in autumn and winter
  • pre-sow or pull forward from March to May
  • latest decorator at the end of June
  • Germination after two to three weeks, depending on the weather
  • grows well with onions, radishes and cut lettuces
  • First harvest from September/October
  • Parsnips can stay in the ground all winter
  • tastes particularly good when it has gotten frost

Attention: The leaves of the parsnip can cause burns if they come into contact with the skin in connection with UV radiation.

Beetroot (Beta vulgaris)

  • good growth traits, undemanding
  • can remain in the ground until the first frost
  • tolerates low temperatures but not severe frosts
  • if necessary, cover with fleece
  • Sow for late harvest in mid-June
  • Peak harvest season starts in October
  • Can be stored for several months under optimal conditions

Salsify (Scorzonera)

  • grows from annual to perennial
  • Sow April and May directly into the raised bed
  • Salsify only fully grown after six months
  • is hardy, can remain in the ground
  • Harvest time from October
  • without interruption until spring

Rutabaga (Brassica napus subsp. napobrassica)

  • winter vegetables rich in vitamins and low in calories
  • Sow late May to late July
  • Harvest time begins at the end of September, depending on the time of sowing
  • Rutabaga is hardy
  • can remain in the ground throughout the winter
  • pile larger turnips

Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus)

  • usable parts are the tubers
  • hardy to minus 30 degrees
  • Preparation similar to the potato
  • Planting in early spring
  • Harvest from September/October until new shoots appear in the following year

Tip: Since this winter vegetable spreads quickly in the raised bed, we recommend installing a root barrier, especially if not all tubers are harvested.

frequently asked Questions

How can you use the raised bed after the harvest?

If most of the autumn or winter crops have been harvested, you can use the raised bed for sowing seeds for next year, for example. Winter garlic, winter hedge onions, chives, chives, early radishes, carrots, lettuce and lettuce or herbs can be sown as early as October.

How can less robust winter vegetables be protected from frost?

With fleece or a cold frame attachment. It's about one to two degrees. It also protects against dehydration and too much moisture. A thick layer of mulch between the vegetable plants is also helpful.

When should winter vegetables be sown?

The sowing date depends on the type of vegetable. It should be done in good time so that the vegetables can form a rosette of leaves before the first frost. This protects it from winter temperatures.

Category:

Vegetable garden