Read also:
- Can you grow Swiss chard from cuttings?
- How to grow Swiss chard from seed in containers
- Swiss Chard Growing Problems
Silverbeet, perpetual spinach, spinach beet, crab beet, seakale beet, and mangold are all names for Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris var. cicla). This leafy vegetable is a cultivated descendant of Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima, a sea beet. It belongs to the same family as beetroot (garden beet), but lacks the swollen, edible storage root. On mature plants, the taproot is very large and woody.
Swiss chard plant spacing
Seeded or transplanted Swiss chard should be spaced 6 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart. Weed pressure will be reduced by dense plantings. Temperatures below 75°F are ideal for growing Swiss chard. Temperatures as low as 32°F do not harm young plants.
Transplants should be planted near the growing area’s last frost-free date 3-4 weeks after planting seeded Swiss chard earlier. High summer temperatures inhibit growth, reduce quality, and may result in the development of bitter or off-flavors.
Choose early maturing cultivars for fall Swiss chard and plant 50-75 days before the expected maturity date. The maturity date should be about 2-3 weeks before the first frost in the fall. After light frosts, plants can be left in the garden.
Seed spacing: 2 inches apart in all directions, and cover with 12 inch of fine soil or 1 inch of sandy soil. When the plants are about 2 inches tall, thin them to 4 inches apart. The spacing between larger plants should be 8-12 inches.
Harvest and Storage of Swiss chard
Swiss chard can be harvested when the leaves have reached their full size or at any time after they have formed. Older leaves are frequently stripped off the plants first, allowing the young leaves to grow.
All leaves can be cut off to within 2 inches of the soil if the growing point is not damaged. If stored properly, Swiss chard can be kept for 1-2 weeks.
What is the ideal spacing between Swiss chard plants?
In the spring, plant Swiss chard 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost date. These vibrant, nutrient-dense plants thrive in raised garden beds, containers, and in-ground gardens. Plant Swiss chard 12 to 18 inches apart in a nutrient-rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8.
How much space should there be between chard plants?
There is no need to plant more chard because the plants will not bolt due to heat or day length. Plant seeds in rows 18 to 30 inches apart, one-fourth to one-half inch deep. Thinly slice the Swiss chard to four to six inches apart. Spinach should be spaced two to four inches apart.
How far apart should you think your Swiss chard?
Plant the seeds about an inch deep and 4-6 inches apart. When the plants are easy to handle, thin to about a foot apart. Plant chard plants about a foot apart. If desired, the small plants can also be transplanted.
How far does Swiss chard spread?
Lime-green leaves grow on white stalks. The leaves can grow to be more than a foot long and 10 inches wide. It is an open-pollinated variety that matures in 50 days. Perpetual is an open-pollinated chard with tasty, smooth spinach-flavored leaves that mature in 50 days.
Can spinach and chard be grown together?
Swiss chard is a vitamin and mineral-rich leafy green vegetable that can withstand higher temperatures and minor drought better than other nutrient-rich greens like spinach. Chard has the additional benefit of being quite ornamental, making it ideal for companion planting with chard.
Conclusion
Swiss chard is a cool-season vegetable that grows best in sunny spots with fertile, well-drained soil. Plant seeds 12 inches deep and thin seedlings as they emerge, or transplant chard 6 inches apart in a row.
With rows spaced 12 inches apart Swiss chard tastes best when the plants are growing quickly mature before the summer heat Irrigation should be done frequently.
And uniform to ensure healthy growth. Insect and disease control all through the year. Harvest Swiss chard when the leaves have grown to their full size.
Further Reading
- Effect of plant spacing and harvesting frequency of Swiss chard cultivars (Beta vulgaris L.) in a closed hydroponic system.
- Effect of Intra Row Spacing and Harvesting Frequency on Growth and Yield of Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. var cicla) at Debre Markos, North West Ethiopiapp000
