If you appreciate having excellent leafy greens all season, chard is a must-have in your vegetable garden. Learn how to grow chard from seed and keep it alive until fall or early winter in this article.
How to grow chard from seed
Chard is essentially a beet minus the root. It’s a biennial that’s cultivated as an annual because of its large, crinkly leaves. When allowed to develop medium to big leaves, the stalks become red or white and have huge,
dark green leaves that may be eaten as salad greens or cooked like spinach. It’s not difficult to cultivate, but chard does take some time and upkeep because cutting the leaves periodically improves the flavor of the chard.
All season, Chard rewards your efforts with a plentiful supply of wonderfully soft leaves.
Growing Chard from seed in raised beds, containers, or a regular garden plot is simple and rewarding if you follow some important gardening instructions.
Swiss chard grows well in a variety of environments, from full sun to light shade. It should receive at least five hours of direct sunshine every day. Although the plants grow quicker in full light, a little shade on hot summer afternoons is beneficial.
Because these plants are big feeders, it’s ideal to amend your planting space with several inches of organic compost one or two weeks before sowing chard seeds. Chard grows well on soil that is neutral to slightly acidic.
Swiss chard is a biannual plant that grows roots and new leaves the first year and blossoms and seeds the following year. However, after it begins to blossom, the leaves become bitter and inedible.
Chard plants have shallow root systems and suffer when fighting with weeds for water and nutrients. Mulch between the plants to keep weeds at bay and soil moisture in place.
Swiss chard is a superfood that is abundant in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It’s high in fiber, which lowers cholesterol and supports heart health and weight reduction.
Magnesium, potassium, and calcium help the body keep its blood pressure regular. Vitamin K is required for normal blood coagulation and bone strength.
How do you start Swiss chard from seed?
Sow seeds 1cm (12″) deep in rows 45cm (18″) apart, 10-30cm (4-12″) apart. Maturity in days: From direct seeding. pH range: 6.0-6.5. Swiss chard needs soil that is loose, deep, and rich with organic content.
How long does chard take to grow from seed?
Young chard leaves are great eaten fresh and early thinning can be used in salads. The fully developed leaves should be ready to harvest 10-12 weeks following sowing, however late summer sowings may take a bit longer.
Is Swiss chard easy to grow from seed?
Chard is a relatively simple plant to cultivate. As part of your spring garden, plant Swiss chard seed in early to mid-spring, or as soon as you’re confident there’s no more possibility of frost.
Is it necessary to soak chard seeds before planting?
Growing Swiss chard from seed is simple, and germination rates are often high. However, you may improve the performance of your seeds by soaking them in water for 15 minutes before planting. Plant your Swiss chard seeds 12 inch (1.3 cm) deep in rich, loosened, wet soil.
How do you get a chard plant started?
Apply 5-10-10 fertilizer to the area when you’re ready to plant.
Seeds should be planted 1/2 to 1 inch deep, 2 to 6 inches apart, in rows 18 inches apart.
For a month, sow seeds at 10-day intervals.
How long does Swiss chard take to grow?
Lime-green leaves grow on white stems. The leaves can grow to be more than a foot long and 10 inches broad. It is an open-pollinated cultivar that matures in 50 days.
Perpetual is an open-pollinated chard with excellent, silky spinach-flavored leaves that mature in 50 days.
Conclusion
Growing Chard from seed is simple, and germination rates are often high. However, you may improve the performance of your seeds by soaking them in water for 15 minutes before planting.
References
- Nutrient Release Pattern and Greenhouse-Grown Swiss Chard Response to Biochar Inoculated with Vermicast
- Growth and yield response of Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris (L.) to media mixture ratios of sand, acacia soil, and goat manure
- Yield and Nutritional Value of Swiss Chard Grown for Summer and Autumn Harvest
