Introduction to Growing Vegetables in Switzerland and Vegetable Planting Calendar in Switzerland – Hello Gardeners, we are back with a new topic and the topic is all about How to Grow vegetables in Switzerland and when to plant vegetables in Switzerland. Do you live in Switzerland and do you want to grow your own vegetable? Well and then you will need to follow this complete article to grow your own vegetables in Switzerland. In this article, we will also mention all the requirements for growing vegetables in Switzerland.
Switzerland is a non-costal country in Central Europe. The nearest countries include Austria, France, Italy, Liechtenstein, and even Germany. The geography of Switzerland is mostly mountains the Alps in the south, Jura in the northwest with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and wide lakes. Switzerland has a vigorous tradition of gardening, and because of this, Swiss cooking heavily favors fresh seasonal vegetable supply. Seasonal herbs and vegetables are largely accessible too, so you can expect to lavish dinner on white Asparagus in spring the season, Pumpkins in fall, and Swiss chard in the summer season.
A Planting Guide for Growing Vegetables in Switzerland and Vegetable Planting Calendar
It will be the very best experience for you to begin your own vegetable garden. Even if not everything went well, it will be delightful. And it was so very good to have fresh vegetables out of your garden ground. The vegetable garden may be quite very small. So you had to buy few vegetables too. With more experience and a large garden, you will be allowed to get more vegetables next year. Overall, it is not too bad. Some of the plants gave an often of vegetables.
Basic Things to Remember When Growing Vegetables
- Pick your location
Growing vegetables and herbs begins with selecting the sunniest and warmest location in your backyard. Your plants will require as much sunlight as possible to maximize their growth stage, and should perfectly be a shield from any strong winds. To observe which areas in your backyard meet these weather conditions, even if it means mixture your veggies in with your daily ground plants can you say victory garden. A good location is frequently right up against the house where the wall behind will help extend heat and supply shelter from the wind.
- Prepare the soil
If you are planting your vegetables in the garden ground, you will want to amend the well-drained soil with some organic compost and manure. But by far the fastest way to ideal well-drained soil is to use raised beds or containers filled with an equal mixture of topsoil, peat moss, vermiculite, and organic compost and manure. The loose, fertile and well-drained soil will support strong rooting and more access to fertilizer and water, making for healthier, more delicious plants.
- Choose your plants
Choose a variety of your favourite vegetables and herbs and confined space their part as maintained to the directions. There are no rules just follow your taste sprouts. To tolerate more confined space in your garden, think vertically. Cucumbers and Squashes can be grown up a climb or netting and a bushier plant could be grown beneath. Ensure to provide encourages for fast-growing plants like Tomatoes, with a trellis or netting.
- Feed and Water
Vegetable plants require more water. Observe that the vegetable garden requires a good soak per day or two unless it rains. Vegetables and herbs are not especially forgiving when it comes to dry spells, especially once they have beginning fruiting. Be sure to keep an eye on those plants and retain them well hydrated. If you are using containers or raised grounds gardens, you will also want to add some fertilizer to the soil timely.
- Harvesting
Most vegetables are of high quality for only a short time and should be harvested. Learn to tell the proper period to harvest each plant. Immature vegetables will not better after harvest and over-grown-up vegetables will be tough and lack the desired taste and surface. To maintain quality after harvest, handle vegetables carefully. Cool and keep vegetables such as Asparagus, Broccoli, Leafy plants, Peas, and Sweet corn below 5°C and Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers, and Eggplant around 13°C. Remove field heat as soon as attainable unless they are eaten instantly.
Seasons in Switzerland
The seasons in Switzerland are winter from mid-December to mid-March, spring from mid-March to mid-June, summer from mid-June to mid-September, and fall from mid-September to mid-December.
- Switzerland in winter that is mid-December to mid-March
- Switzerland in Spring that is mid-March to mid-June
- Switzerland in summer that is mid-June to mid-September
- Switzerland in fall that is mid-September to mid-December
Vegetables to Grow in the Winter Season in Switzerland
#1 Savoy Cabbage
You need to plant winter Savoy Cabbage 4 weeks before the last frost. Confined space your Savoy Cabbage as maintained to the guidelines on the plant, in an area that gets six to eight hours of sun. Then plant 1 to 2 inches deep in well-drained and fertile soil with a pH range of 6.5 to 6.8. You need to better native well-drained soil conditions by mixing in many inches of organic compost or other rich organic manure. Protect new vegetable plants from cold weather by planting them through black plastic, which will help retain the soil warm. Water daily by giving 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. Before planting, give Cabbage savoy continuous food produce by mixing a slow-release plant food into the well-drained soil. Lay down a 3-inch layer of organic matter to help keep moisture and retain weeds at bay. Harvest Savoy Cabbage when the head is compacted.
#2 Potatoes
All you require to do is plant Potatoes in the garden ground and wait for the plant to begin sprouting, adding more dirt on top as it grows. The more ground you add, the more the plant will grow, the more Potatoes you will get. Potato plants are not just for gardens either. If you are keen to have them on your balcony, you can do the same process in a large container.
#3 Brussels sprouts
Brussels sprouts grow very best in cool weather conditions, but they will sprout from seed when well-drained soil temperatures are between 7 to 26°C. Because Brussels sprouts take a while to grow very well, it makes sense to get a jumpstart on growth by planting young plants, such as those obtainable from, as a substitute for seeds. If you do select to grow from seed, direct-sow into the garden ground in mid to late summer for a fall harvest. Plant seedlings in the garden ground 6 to 10 weeks before the first expected frost. Gardeners in cooler areas can grow a winter plant if they vegetable plant them outside as soon as the well-drained soil is workable.
#4 Head Lettuce
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Lettuce is a reasonably hardy, cool-weather vegetable that flourishes when the average regular temperature is between 15 and 21°C. Lettuce needs to be planted in early winter or late summer. At high temperatures, growth is amazing, the leaves may be bitter and the seed stalk forms and lengthen fastly. Some several types and varieties of Lettuce withstand heat improved than others.
Head Lettuce must be transplanted in most spots and need more care than other types of lettuce. Start transplants for a winter plant indoors or in a cold frame and set them in the garden as early in the winter as the weather settles. Harden transplants outdoors so that they become accommodate to the conditions under which they will be mature, but do not tolerate growth to stop totally. Because butter head and leaf varieties also can be transplanted for a very easy earlier harvest. In the heat of summer, Lettuce seedlings begin in a protected location in the partial shade can be transplanted later into the moderate location for some limited success.
#5 Spinach
Spinach is a cool-season plant. It requires 6 weeks of cool weather from seed sowing to harvest. Spinach grows best when planted outdoors in early winter and then again in autumn. In the mild-winter zone grow spinach outdoors in winter. Sow seed spinach indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last average frost date in spring for transplanting out as early as 4 weeks before the last frost. However, seedlings may tolerate transplant shock if the roots are disturbed at transplant time. Spinach can be mature through the winter everywhere in a cold frame or plastic drill Spinach begins in autumn can survive the winter under thick matter plants will resume growing in the winter. Plant succession plants of spinach every 10 to 14 days.
Vegetables to Grow in the Spring Season in Switzerland
#1 Cucumber
Cucumbers are kindly annuals that grow best in temperatures ranging from 15 to 32°C. Sow Cucumber seed in the garden ground or set out transplants 3 to 4 weeks after the average last frost date in spring. The perfect well-drained soil temperature for growing cucumbers is 21°C. You need to cow Cucumber seed indoors as early as 6 weeks before transplanting it into the garden ground. Protect Cucumbers from unexpected freeze or chill night-time temperatures early in the spring season. Use floating row covers or plastic drills to retain the chill away. Cucumbers need 55 to 65 frost-free days from sowing to reach and get ready to harvest.
#2 Basil
Basil is one of the most adaptable herbs you can grow very easily. Freshly picked leaves can be added to salads, sandwiches, and sauces, and can be assembled into pesto or dried for use in the spring. Basil has a very lower germination rate than several seeds, averaging just 60%. Luckily, most seed packets contain many more seeds than you will require. Basil is a hot weather plant and is especially vulnerable to frost damage. Seeds and plants should not be put into the garden ground until the well-drained soil is warm at 18 to 21°C and the weather has settled. Even a very cool, 10°C night will slow down the basil plant’s growth for some period afterward.
#3 Broccoli
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You need to plant Broccoli during the cool weather condition of early spring and fall. Grow it in containers and also garden ground. Space Broccoli plants extremely to the label normally 18 inches apart. Select a location with full sun, easy access to water per daily, and fertile and well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 amend the soil with lime if essential. Before planting, better native soil by working in many inches of organic compost or other rich organic elements. Retain soil moist by giving broccoli plants 1 to 1.5 inches of water per daily. Make the most of your Broccoli growing attempt by daily feeding with continuous-release plant food. Lay down a thick layer of organic matter made from accentually ground leaves or bark to preserve well-drained soil moisture and protect from weeds. Timing and temperature are important for successful growth. The perfect growing temperature range is 18 to 27°C. Harvest broccoli when the center coronet is full of small, green, tightly packed sprouts.
#4 Courgettes
In late May or early June, prepare your sowing location by shoving in plenty of homemade compost or well-rotted matter, to about the depth and width of a spade’s edge. Indoor-raised plants must be hardened off accommodate to outdoor conditions before planting outside in June. Do this by moving young Courgettes plants into a cold mount for a week. If you don’t have a cold mount, move them outdoors every day, and then bring them in at night for a week. Then the following week, Courgettes leave them out in a sheltered location all day and night.
#5 Kohlrabi
For a spring harvest, plant Kohlrabi 4 weeks before the last freeze. You need to space Kohlrabi 9 to 12 inches apart in an area with a lot of suns and fertile, well-drained soil with a pH range from 6.5 to 6.8. Better native well-drained soil by mixing in many inches of aged compost or other rich organic manure. Kohlrabi is a fast producer, so retain the soil moist by giving plants 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. Support fine leaf production by feeding plants daily with water-soluble plant food. Block weeds and keep soil moisture by applying a thick layer of organic matter made from organic substances such as excellent ground leaves or bark.
Vegetables to Grow in the Summer Season in Switzerland
#1 Artichoke
If artichokes are constant in your zone, think long-term about where to plant them because they will grow in that location for up to 5 years. Plant Artichokes 4 feet apart in an area with them requires full sun to partial shade and nutrient-rich, loamy well-drained soil. Better nutrition and surface of native well-drained soil by working in compost or other rich organic manure. Water right after planting and supply frequently soil moisture around the growing season by watering when the top inch of well-drained soil is dry. For beautiful results come harvest period, mix a continuous-release plant food into the soil from planting and reapply per clarify instructions. Block weeds and keep soil moisture by adding a 4-inch layer of matter made from organic substances such as straw, dry grass clippings, or aged manure to protect from weeds. Once sprouts start to form, reduce the mulch and add a 4-inch layer of organic compost. Harvest Artichoke sprouts when they are about 3 inches in diameter should be tightly packed and resistant.
#2 Asparagus
You need to plant Asparagus in summer to fall in a sunny location with nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. Asparagus takes a few seasons to a grown-up but will reap a harvest for 15 to 30 days, so select a planting site that will go undisturbed for a long period. For summer planting, prepare your garden ground in the fall by better the well-drained soil with compost or other rich organic manure, then cover the ground with mulch for the winter. In the summer season, dig 6- to 8-inch intense rows and plant Asparagus 12 to 18 inches in tall apart. As Asparagus grows in height, backfill the rows with well-drained soil until it is extremely level with the garden ground. Once your rows are soil level with the soil line, then lay down a layer of mulch to keep soil moisture and protect from weeds. During the growing season, you need to feed daily with continuous-release plant food. Wait until your second or third season to get ready to harvest. You can choose grown-up Asparagus once they reach 8 inches in height.
#3 Aubergines
Aubergines require a lot of warmth and sun to plant well, so are very best grown in a greenhouse. They can be grown on the garden ground, but rarely do well except in soft areas or very warm summers. Plant Eggplants when the well-drained soil temperature is above 10°C and all possibility of frost have passed. Space Eggplant 24 to 36 inches apart and stem them once developed to prevent toppling. Select an area with plentiful sunlight and fertile, well-drained soil. Better native soil by mixing in many inches of aged compost or other rich organic manure. Keep soil moist but not soggy soaker hoses are a great choice. Retain your plants fed by feeding them daily with continuous-release plant food. Apply a layer of matter made from organic manure, such as excellent ground leaves or bark, once plants reach 6 inches in height. Harvest Eggplant when fruits stop growing and their skin becomes shining. Remove vine fruit with gardening shears, leaving a small place of the stem attached.
#4 Swiss chard
As the seedlings start to grow, thin out the plants so that they are 25-30cm apart. Water very well. Keep an eye out for pests, but apart from watering daily, this is an easy vegetable to look after. Sow seeds every few weeks for a continuous plant that will see you around the winter months, with just a little prevention. Swiss chard can be grown very easy successfully in containers and even in between your flower borders, where it will complement the hot colors of late summer blossom. Young Swiss chard leaves are flavourful eaten fresh and you can use early decrease for salads. The entire Swiss chard leaves will be ready to harvest about 10-12 weeks after sowing, but late summer season sowings may take a little longer. Cut single leaves as you require them and the plant will retain producing new growth.
#5 Sweet corn
Sweet corn is a tender, warm-season annual plant that is very best planted after the soil temperature reaches16°C, normally 2 or 3 weeks after the last frost in spring. Sweet corn needs and 60 to 100 frost-free days to reach and get ready to harvest depending upon variety and the quantity of heat during the growing season. Corn grows best in air temperatures from 16-35°C. Sweet corn planted in cold, wet soil is improbable to germinate. Sweet corn seed germinates in 10 to 14 days at 24°C, but the rate of germination may reach only 75%. Begin Sweet corn indoors 2 to 3 weeks before the last freeze in spring for transplanting 2 to 3 weeks after the last freeze. If your season is long adequate, plant successive plants every two to three weeks.
Vegetables to Grow in the Fall Season in Switzerland
#1 Black Salsify
Growing Salsify will require an often weeding. Since it is slow-growing, quick-growing weeds can fastly overtake it and select out the Salsify plant. It is very best to grow Salsify in loose and rich well-drained soil. Much like Carrots and Parsnips, the very easier it is for the roots to get into the well-drained soil, the larger the roots will grow very well, which will result in a better to get for harvest. When growing Salsify, it’s also important to retain the plant well-watered regularly. Even and enough watering will retain the Salsify roots from becoming fibrous. Also, be ensuring partial shade plants during high temperatures. Salsify grows very best in cooler temperatures and can get tough if the temperatures rise above 29°C shadings your Salsify in temperatures like this can help retain your Salsify kindly and tasty.
#2 Kale
Kale is a cool-weather plant that needs two months of cool weather conditions to reach harvest. Sow seeds indoors or outdoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last freeze in spring or as soon as the well-drained soil can be worked. Kale is normally started indoors and transplanted into the garden ground when seedlings are 4 to 6 weeks old. Kale is a hardy regular plant grown as an annual plant. The leaves of kale are the same as cabbage. Scotch kale has crunchy and curly grey-green leaves. Siberian or blue kale is less curly and a down shade of green. Kale will be getting ready to harvest 55 days from transplanting, 70 to 80 days from seed. Cut single leaves for use when the plant is 8 to 10 inches tall cut the outside leaves first. If you harvest the total plant, cut 2 inches above the well-drained soil and the plant will bud new leaves in 1 to 2 weeks. Harvest kale before it gets old and hard.
#3 Red Cabbages
Red Cabbage is a cool-weather plant. Grow Red cabbage in spring so that it comes to harvest before the summer heat or begin red cabbage in mid to late summer so that it comes to harvest from the cool days of autumn, winter, or early spring. Begin seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last freeze in the spring season. Place red cabbage transplants in the garden when they are 3 to 4 inches in height as early as 3 to 4 weeks before the last freeze in spring. Direct sow seed outdoors when the well-drained soil can be worked in spring. In mild-winter zones, start seed in late summer for a winter or spring season in the harvest.
#4 Onions
Plant onions in very early spring once the garden ground is workable. In-ground gardens and raised beds are both fine choices for growing onions. Confined space onion plants 6 inches apart in rows that are 12 inches apart. Grow them in a sunny location that has fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8 levels. Better your native well-drained soil by mixing in many inches of organic compost or other rich organic manure. Onions aren’t great at taking up water, so it’s very important to retain the soil moist so their shallow roots can drink up. Water on every time the top inch of well-drained soil becomes dry. For the best results, retain your growing onions fed with the continuous-release vegetable plant. Onions can be eaten at closely any size so harvest when they are the right and medium size for your next culinary creation.
#5 Carrots
Carrots are cool weather plants, so you will want to get them begins in early spring, depending on where you live. A good rule of thumb is to plant your carrots when the well-drained soil temperature is around 10°C they will germinate between 12 to 18°C. You seem to be able to plant them in the early fall as long as there isn’t a hard frost. Spacing is important and can save you from decrease that is pulling up extra seeds once they begin growing later on. Sow seeds two to four inches apart to give them sufficient room to grow. Your carrots will require in full sun, so keep that in mind when you are deciding where you’d like to plant your seeds. Some carrots do well in containers, making it very easy to move them around if you required them to.
Vegetable Planting Calendar in Switzerland
Vegetables | Planting Season | Days to Harvest | |||
Artichokes | June to September | 85 to 100 days | |||
Black Salsify | September to December | 120 days | |||
Spinach | December to March | 45 to 50 days | |||
Basil | March to June | 7 to 10 days | |||
Swiss Chard | June to September | 50 to 60 days | |||
Brussel Sprouts | December to March | 100 to 110 days | |||
Asparagus | June to September | 50 to 65 days | |||
Cucumber | March to June | 55 to 60 days | |||
Onions | September to December | 80 to 150 days | |||
Heard Lettuce | December to March | 30 days | |||
Potatoes | December to March | 80 to 100 days | |||
Courgettes | March to June | 60 to 70 days | |||
Kale | September to December | 70 to 95 days | |||
Kohlrabi | March to June | 50 to 70 days | |||
Savoy Cabbage | December to March | 70 to 110 days | |||
Red Cabbage | September to December | 70 days | |||
Sweet Corn | June to September | 60 to 100 days | |||
Broccoli | March to June | 50 to 60 days | |||
Aubergine | June to September | 100 to 150 days | |||
Fennel | September to December | 65 days | |||
Peas | June to September | 60 to 70 days | |||
Cauliflower | March to June | 90 to 120 days | |||
Stalk Celery | December to March | 100 to 112 days | |||
Parsnips | September to December | 105 to 130 days | |||
Rhubarb | March to June | 90 days | |||
Bell pepper | June to September | 60 to 90 days | |||
Leek | December to March | 120 to 150 days | |||
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