Raised beds are a popular method for growing vegetables in the home garden, and for good reason. They warm up earlier in the spring and extend the growing season, are well drained and allow for soil control. These advantages make it easier to grow many vegetables and herbs that benefit from the warm, loose soil. Read on to learn what to plant in raised beds in August.
Advantages of raised beds
As previously mentioned, growing food in raised beds offers a ton of benefits. The main advantage is that they are much lessrequire workas a garden in the ground. Here are six great reasons to garden in raised beds:
- The ground warms up early in the spring.
- Raised beds are well drained.
- They are ideal for locations where the existing soil is poor, rocky or contaminated.
- In raised beds you can plant intensively and maximize the harvest.
- There are usually fewer weeds in raised beds.
- Raised beds look neat.
If you knowwhich vegetablesBest to grow in August, you have a unique opportunity to improve your gardening skills even if there are still gaps from the early summer harvest. You may have reaped the rewards of previous seasonal labor, but there are many more vegetables to be had if you commit to some late summer sowings. August sowing not only allows you to take advantage of any bare spots in your vegetable garden, but it also prepares you for quick-ripening fall fruits and slower-developing plants to enjoy in the months ahead.
Purple kohlrabi is suitable for growing in late summer
Kohlrabi is one of the more unusual types of cabbage. If you know how to grow cabbage, cauliflower, or kale, it's time to expand your horizons with one of the most visually arresting vegetables, manplant in Augustcan. Kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes) is a cross between broccoli and water chestnut in taste and texture, peppery and sweet. Roughly translated, kohlrabi means “turnip,” combining both in a vegetable with long, leafy limbs draped around a swollen stem. While green varieties are best sown in late spring, purple varieties are best sown as summer nears its end. This allows the seedlings to make the most of the warm soil while the mature plants enjoy the mild fall weather.
Sow Swiss Chard in raised beds or in buckets
What inPlant in raised beds in August? Swiss Chard, or chard, belongs to the goosefoot family. It is easy to grow, contains many vitamins and looks good in flower beds or in large containers. A single sowing is enough for months of harvest. Young leaves (and stems) can be eaten raw, while the older leaves are used in stir-fries, casseroles and soups. Particularly recommended varieties are the bright 'Bright Lights', the strong 'Bright Yellow', the scarlet 'Fantasy' and the cream-colored 'Fordhook Giant'.
Leaf beets prefer moderate temperatures because heat slows growth. These brightly colored plants are not only nutritious but also a visual treat and are one of the most colorful additions to a small vegetable garden. They are ready to harvest 10-12 weeks after sowing. In late autumn, cover the plants with cloches or protect them with straw.
Not too late for baby carrots
Haven't thought about how to grow carrots this year? Don't worry, because you still have a little time to grow homegrown mini carrots to enjoy in the cooler months. These crunchy roots take time to develop, so sow now if you want plenty of casseroles, soups and roasts over the winter. Choose an open, sunny spot and you're set. Celery, parsnips and lettuce are the best companion plants for carrots, and herbs such as sage and rosemary also make excellent planting partners. Cover the seed with an insect-proof net to protect it from the root fly. Provide good watering and weed control, and wait for the tasty tots! Choose a suitable, hardy variety. 'Extremo' and 'Eskimo' are good choices, as is 'Purple Haze', the first colored hybrid carrot with purple skin and orange interior.
What to plant in the raised bed in August: Spinach
Spinach, Popeye's favorite plant, is a nutritious staple, and you'll soon find that it's easy to grow, too. It should definitely be on your list of vegetables that youShould be planted in August, because you can harvest the fruits well into winter if you choose a hardy variety and choose a sunny spot. It is perfect as baby leaves for crisp salads or as a larger, fatter side dish for soups or casseroles. You can sow the seeds either in raised beds or thinly in large pots. During hot periods, make sure the plants receive some shade. For productive companion planting, cultivation with runner or pole beans is suitable. Spinach is also one of the best companion plants for tomatoes and also combines well with strawberries.
Sow Baby Beetroot now and enjoy it for a long time
Beetroot is not only simple and colorful, but is also one of the vegetables that taste particularly good when young. So use thatnext sunny weeksto grow baby beets that taste delicious even when they're no bigger than a golf ball! Beets can be harvested well into the fall, and their storability means you can nibble on the roots well into the winter. They need fertile, well-drained soil that has been finely raked. Before sowing, add some well-rotted garden compost or similar organic material. During dry periods, it is essential to water the plants weekly (this reduces the risk of bolting and provides the beets with nutrients). It can be helpful to apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer and water it.
Sow parsley in August
Parsley is a perfect addition to all types of herb gardens. You can choose between pretty curly varieties like 'Envy AGM' and 'Champion Moss Curled' or the heartier flat-leaf varieties like 'Titan' and 'Gigante Napoletano'. Sow the seeds in AugustRaised beds or in potsout of. Germination is slow and takes six weeks, so warm growing conditions should be provided. Cover them lightly with more compost and keep them moist. Allow to continue growing in cooler conditions and plant out after the last frosts.
There is still time for sowing leeks
What do you plant in raised beds in August?Homegrown leeks are a luscious, sweet treat that's rich in vitamin A. If you want to grow leeks, August is a good time to plant them in their final location. Seedlings planted in April/May (in the house or in a seedbed) develop strong roots after 10 weeks. Once they are pencil-thick, they can be transplanted. Pull soil up the stem as it grows or tie cardboard tubes around the stems. Also, don't forget to water and weed regularly during long dry periods. Good late-ripening varieties include 'Blauwgroene Winter Bandit' and 'Porbella'.
