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You don't have to stop gardening after the first frost.
You can easily use a "cold frame" to keep producing late into the fall and early winter. The main difference between a raised garden and a cold frame is that a cold frame captures and retains heat.
Raised beds can also offer the opportunity to be used as cold frames because the bed warms quicker than the ground. You will need to cover it with a lightweight clear plastic cover or a discarded window sash when it gets cold to get the heating effect.
The cold frames act like mini greenhouses because they capture the heat from the sun. They can keep tender plants producing a month or two past the first frost, or maybe all winter. If you want a fresh salad for Christmas, a cold frame may allow you to do that. Some of the crops that do well in cold frames are root crops, herbs, lettuce, spinach, kale and chard.
Cold frames are inexpensive and easy to make. You basically build them the same as a raised garden frame, using the same materials, and cover the frame as above. If you are going to use the frame only as a cold frame, one of the longer sides should be slightly taller than the front to allow the best warming rays of the sun to reach your delicate starter plants next spring.
As with a raised garden, you also want to pick a sunny spot with protection from the wind. Some gardeners prefer to dig the soil about 3 inches and tuck the frame into the soil to insulate it. Be sure that you have good drainage, adding some gravel if necessary to improve it. Prepare the soil the same as you would for the raised garden.
Wait until the weather gets cold here in a few weeks to start using your cold frame. You will need to open the window about 6 inches if the temperature is above 40 degrees, or totally if it reaches 50 degrees, to allow some of the heat to escape. As the temperature drops in late afternoon, close the lid for the cooler nights. If it gets really cold, throw an old blanket or straw over the top for insulation.
Your cold frames can, in reality, be used throughout the year.