Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris) is also known as chard, and is a very colorful and quite nutritious leafy vegetable which is ideal for growing at home. Chard is a shiny leafed plant with colored stems, and it is great for gardens, pots, or even growing indoors. This guide will explain how to grow chard at home.
An easy-to-garden vegetable with continuous harvests throughout the season, whether you’re a newbie or have experience; a real boon to any home garden because of its abundance of vitamins A, C, and K, and for being able to thrive under quite different climates; let’s get on with successful chard growing!
Why Grow Chard?
If you’re new to gardening, chard is simply among the easiest vegetables to grow. This is what awaits you:
- Low Maintenance: Chard is pleasingly undemanding so that even very beginners can try out their hand at gardening.
- Nutritional Powerhouse: Chard provides loads of vitamins A, C, and K along with magnesium and potassium to frame decent green meals.
- Continuous Harvest: Chard continually regenerates after harvest, unlike a few short-lived crops, offering a harvest of fresh greenery for many a month.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Many varieties like rainbow chard provide a wonder of colors from orange to yellow in a person’s garden.
Step 1: Choosing the Right Variety
Chard is available in different types and all display distinct attributes. Selection of the right variety will actually improve the gardening experience.
Popular Chard Varieties
- Rainbow Chard: Stands out with colorful stems and is equally decorative and delicious.
- Fordhook Giant: A very classic type with dark green leaves and white stems; great for larger gardens.
- Perpetual Spinach: Mild-tasting chard that is reminiscent of spinach; good for salads and very light cooking.
This selection process will prepare you for a trip into the harvest season to come, depending on the chard you wish to plant, your taste, and gardening space.
Step 2: Preparing the Area for Growing
A correct growth environment is important for quality chard production; fortunately, this vegetable is somewhat forgiving in that respect.
Sunlight Requirements
Chard grows well in full sun receiving 6-8 hours of sun. Partial shade works well too, so spots that receive a little less direct sun are ok.
Soil Preparation
The health the plant is directly related to the status of its soil. Add in some of the following for soil preparation:
- Well-drained, good soil mixed with compost or well-rotten manure.
- The pH must lie between 6.0 and 7.0 for maximum uptake of nutrients.
- Loosen the soil to a depth of 12 inches to accommodate the long tap roots of the plant.
Additional organic matter improves soil fertility and retains moisture, highly critical for chard.
Step 3: Chard Planting
Chard is among the easiest crops to sow; either direct seeding can be done in the garden, or the seeds can be sown in pots some weeks earlier, indoors.
Time to Plant
- Spring Planting: Sow seeds outdoors directly into the garden as soon after the soil is workable in early spring.
- Fall Planting: Plant in warmer climates in mid-to-late summer for a late fall harvest.
Seed Sowing
Sow 1 inch deep and about 4 to 6 inches apart; provide about 12 to 18 inches between rows. Lightly cover the seeds with soil before watering; this will prevent them from washing away. Chard seeds are fairly large and thus easy to handle. For an early start, one can start seeds indoors and transplant them outside after the last frost.
Step 4: How to Grow Chard Indoors or in Containers
If for any reason you are unable to grow chard outdoors, you can either grow it indoors or on a balcony in containers.
Select the Container
Select a deep container at least twelve inches deep to allow the roots enough space to grow well. Select unglazed clay pots, as they will drain excess water much better and the pots will not develop bottom dips.
Soil and Feed
Fill well-draining, nutrient-rich soils and compost into potting mix. Water them with a diluted organic fertilizer once each week to promote new growth.
Sunlight Requirements
Put the pot in a sunny area with about six hours of sun each day. For very low levels of light, it is recommended to use grow lights that offer 10-12 hours of light per day. Container gardening suits confined spaces and fresh veggies throughout the year.
Step 5: Caring for Your Chard
Much care has to be given throughout the planting cycle to obtain good harvests.
Watering
The best practice for now is to not allow the soil to dry out; that is, keep it moist. Mulching will retain moisture at the plant base and will reduce the weed problem.
Thinning and Weeding
When the seedlings reach 3 inches tall, thin them 8 to 12 inches apart. This is to prevent congestion. Much of the weeding is done at the beginning and after that, little competition for nutrients/water among the plants remain.
Pest and Disease Management
Some common pests are aphids and slugs; deal with it using organic methods such as neem oil or diatomaceous earth if infested. Never over-water; this can lead to root rot or fungal disease.
Step 6: Harvesting Chard
Notably, perhaps one of the rewards of growing chard is its almost never-ending harvest. You could quite easily have greens several months in a row, given the right approach.
When to Harvest
You can start harvesting 4 to 6 weeks after planting, when the leaves are about 6 to 8 inches long. Pick the outer leaves and let the inner leaves continue growing.
How to Harvest
Cut the leaves with a sharp knife or scissors about 1 inch above the base. Do not pull the leaves, for such a process may injure the plant. Regular harvesting keeps the plant growing new leaves. According to chard growers, this provides multiple harvests throughout the growing season.
Step 7: Storing and Using Chard
Chard should be eaten fresh after harvesting; however, it can also be put away or preserved for future use.
Storing Fresh Chard
Wrap the leaves and put them in a plastic bag. Keep in a cool place, preferably in a refrigerator, for a week or so.
Freezing Chard
First, immerse the chopped up chard in boiling water for a couple of minutes to blanch, remove them thereafter, and immediately put into ice water for a couple of minutes. Then drain the ice water away, pat them dry in towels, and bag them in airtight bags.
Culinary Ideas
Let chard maintain its character in mixed greens salads, in soups, or with various pastas. A quick sauté with a pinch of garlic and olive oil makes it a side dish full of nutrients. It is neutral in flavor, so it can complement a variety of dishes.
Bonus Tips for Success
- Companion Planting: Chard can be planted alongside beans, carrots, and onions. Together, these companions provide benefits such as healthier soils and as pest deterrents.
- Succession Planting: Introduce seed every two to three weeks for a never-ending harvest through the growing season.
- Over-Wintering: In the mildest climates, chard should be covered in winter with mulch such as frost cloth for some measure of protection.
Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
1. Yellowing Leaves
- Cause: Nutrient deficits or excessive watering.
- Solution: Apply a balanced fertilizer, and make sure that the soil drains well.
2. Bolting
- Cause: High temperatures or stress.
- Solution: Use heat-tolerant varieties and water regularly to lower stress.
With sound management practices, most obstacles pose little challenge to your end harvest of chard.
Conclusion: Why Grow Chard at Home?
Swiss chard is one of the easiest and most rewarding vegetables to grow at home. The brilliant colors, the health benefits, and ability to regrow after being cut are perfect for cultivating in any gardener’s patch.
Whether you have a big outdoor space or small balconies, chard is a good beginner’s vegetable that will leave you with months of delicious and fresh greens. Happy gardening!
