Table of Contents
Start planting about 2 to 3 weeks before last expected frost. Sow seeds ½ to 1 inch deep, 2 to 6 inches apart, in rows 18 to 24 apart. Like beets, chard “seeds” produce more than one plant, and so will require thinning. Thin to 6- to 12-inch spacings.
What month do you plant Swiss chard?
Plant Swiss chard in the spring, 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost date. These colorful, nutritious plants grow well in raised garden beds, containers, and in-ground gardens.
How many seeds should I plant for Swiss chard?
DIRECT SEEDING: Bunching: Sow about 6 seeds/ft., 1/2″ deep, rows 12–18″ apart from midspring and on into midsummer (fall where winter is mild). Thin to 4–6″ apart for larger leaves. Baby Leaf: Sow 1/4– 1/2″ deep at 1–2 seeds/inch in rows at least 2″ apart from midspring into late summer (fall where winter is mild).
Do you soak Swiss chard seeds before planting?
For a fall harvest, plant chard seeds about 40 days before the first fall frost date. (Many varieties will tolerate a light frost.) To speed germination, soak seeds in water for 24 hours prior to planting.
Is Swiss chard easy to grow from seed?
Chard is generally easy to grow. It just needs enough room, water and a perhaps a bit of fertilizer. As part of your spring garden, you’ll want to get Swiss chard seed into the ground in early to mid-spring, or at least when you’re sure there’s no more chance of frost.
How many chard seeds are in a hole?
To plant it in your garden, push seeds 1/2″ deep and about 10″ apart. If you plant more than one seed per hole, thin them to one every 10″ when they are about 1″ tall.
Does Swiss chard come back every year?
Chard is a biennial plant, meaning it has a two year life cycle, but it is cultivated as an annual in the vegetable garden and harvested in its first season of growth. Once it begins to flower and set seed in its second year, its leaves turn bitter and unpalatable. Both the leaves and stalks of chard are edible.
Does Swiss chard need full sun?
Prefers full sun early in the season, part shade in summer when it’s warm. Prefers deep, loose, fertile soil, high in organic matter, with pH 6.0 to 7.0. Needs consistent moisture, especially as plants grow large. Biennial grown as an annual.
What can you not plant with Swiss chard?
Plants to Avoid Chard is not a fan of most herbs with the exception of mint. These two make great garden buddies. Chard also shouldn’t be planted near potatoes, corn, cucumbers, or melons. All of these will either compete for soil nutrients or foster harmful pests.
Can I grow chard in pots?
Swiss chard can be grown successfully in containers and even in among your flower borders, where it will complement the hot colours of late summer flowers.
How long does it take to grow chard from seed?
Seed germinates in 5 to 7 days at or near 60°F to 65°F (16-18°C)—but sometimes seed can take up to 3 weeks to germinate if the soil is cold. Germination will not occur in soil chillier than 50°F (10°C). Keep the soil evenly moist until seeds germinate. Sow seed ⅓ to ½ inch (13mm) deep.
Can you transplant chard seedlings?
Sow. Chard grows best in an open, sunny site, although it can tolerate some shade in summer. Alternatively, sow in modules or trays indoors, and transplant outside when large enough to handle.
Can Swiss chard seedlings be transplanted?
You can transplant Swiss chard. For summer crops, plant seed indoors in early April or about four weeks before transplanting.
Should you start Swiss chard indoors?
We recommend sowing directly in the garden as Swiss chard grows quickly, but you can start indoors 6-8 weeks early if you wish.
Do Swiss chard seeds need light to germinate?
Swiss chard prefers loose, deep, and fertile soil that is rich in organic matter. Plenty of consistent moisture is required, especially as plants grow larger. It grows best in full sun, but will tolerate light shade in summer.
Can Swiss chard grow in shade?
Swiss Chard Among vegetables, leafy greens are the most tolerant of shade, including kale, lettuce, spinach, arugula and chard. Related to both beets and spinach, Swiss chard tastes a little like both and is fairly easy to grow.
Can you direct seed chard?
It’s almost effortless to direct-sow Swiss Chard seeds now for big results in about 30 days. Before direct-sowing the seed, loosen the soil and add compost and organic fertilizer. Plant the seeds a half inch deep and about 2 inches apart.
Do slugs eat chard?
Swiss chard is tempting to slugs, but if the plant is healthy, it will outgrow these battles.
How do you keep bugs off Swiss chard?
Swiss Chard Pests Sticky tape is an effective control, or you can apply a commercial spray containing pyrethrins or a homemade spray consisting of five parts water, two parts rubbing alcohol and 1 tablespoon (15 mL.) of liquid dish soap.
How often do you water chard?
Like all vegetables, Swiss chard does best with a nice, even supply of water. Water regularly, applying 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week if it doesn’t rain. You can measure the amount of water with a rain gauge in the garden.
Does Swiss chard grow back after cutting?
Harvest. Cut young, tender leaves 1 to 2 inches from the ground when the Swiss chard leaves are 8 to 12 inches tall. Harvest only the outer leaves, leaving the inner leaves intact. Swiss chard continues to produce new leaves as long as the center of the plant isn’t damaged.
How do you harvest Swiss chard so it keeps growing?
The most common method for how to pick chard is to cut off the outer leaves 1 ½ to 2 inches (4-5 cm.) above the ground while they are young and tender, about 8 to 12 inches (20-31 cm.) long. Older leaves are often stripped off the plants and discarded to allow the young leaves to continue to grow.
