Your local plant nursery should have Swiss chard seedlings available in late summer for you to plant for a fall harvest. Plant them 12 inches apart in rows that are 18 inches apart. You can also sow seed directly in your garden in late summer 10 weeks before your first frost date.
Can I plant Swiss chard now?
Swiss chard prefers rich, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. In the North, sow from early spring to midsummer for a fall crop; in the South sow in fall to spring. Sow the seeds 1/2 inch deep in rows spaced 18 inches apart. Thin seedlings to 12 inches apart when they are large enough to handle.
How late can you plant Swiss chard?
It tastes its best when the mature plant experiences some cold nights and may develop bitterness when grown in warm months. It is also a fairly rapidly maturing crop that is ready for harvest in about 50 to 75 days from planting. The best time for Swiss chard fall planting is July 15 through August 15.
Can you plant chard in October?
Autumn Planted Overwintering Vegetables
Crops in this category include Spring Cabbage, Autumn planted garlic, Autumn onion sets and Swiss Chard. You can also overwinter broad beans and peas for a crop about a month before your neighbours if you are of an impatient disposition.
Can you sow Swiss chard in August?
For cut-and-come-again crops, where you pick a few leaves from each plant at regular intervals, sow from April to August in broad drills.
What can I plant next to Swiss chard?
What should you plant with Swiss Chard? Good companion plants for swiss chard are leeks, kale , cabbage, lettuce, marigolds, celery, peas, bush beans, rosemary, mint, thyme, basil, chives, marjoram, lavender, kohlrabi, radish, onions, garlic, alyssum, tropaeolum and collard greens.
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.
What can you not plant near 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 you eat Swiss chard raw?
Swiss chard leaves can be eaten raw or cooked . Raw Swiss chard is less bitter than cooked. A bunch of raw Swiss chard will cook to a much smaller amount. The stalks are thicker than the leaves so they take longer to cook.
How healthy is Swiss chard?
Swiss chard is a nutritional powerhouse — an excellent source of vitamins K, A, and C , as well as a good source of magnesium, potassium, iron, and dietary fiber.
How do you pick chard so it keeps growing?
The most common method for how to pick chard is to cut off the outer leaves 1 1⁄2 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.
Is chard a fall crop?
With fantastic rumpled leaves, flavorful nutrition, and heat and cold tolerance, Swiss chard is one cool crop for the autumn garden ! A great choice for late season greens, you'll love how quickly it grows in response to the crisp evenings of early fall – and the colors are outstanding.
Can Swiss chard get too big?
There are a few different types of Swiss chard, and each has its advantages. ... It contains less fiber than other types of chard, so the plant is tender with a mild flavor. Bionda di Lyon bolts quickly if it gets too big . So it's best to harvest baby leaves before they grow large.
How do you germinate Swiss chard?
- To speed up germination, soak seeds in water for 24 hours before planting.
- Sow the seeds 1⁄2 to 1 inch deep, spacing them 2 to 6 inches apart in rows.
- Space rows about 18 inches apart.
Can you 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 often should I water Swiss 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.
