The origin of swiss chard can be traced
from Europe, Mediterranean. The botanical name of this plant is Beta vulgaris
cicla, why the common names are sea kale, Chard, Swiss chard, sea kale, Swiss
beet, etc. This particular plant grows best in the cooler time of the year. You
can sow the plant in the garden two to four weeks after all frost has passed in
spring. You can also grow it again in autumn.
If you want to get started you can sow
the swiss chard indoors as early as three to four weeks before the average last
frost date in spring, they can be transplanted when the plants are three to four
inches tall.
Furthermore, if the swiss chard is established
it can tolerate heat and frost. You can also plant the swiss chard in summer
for a fall harvest.
This particular plant is a member of
the beet family. Swiss chard can grow up to sixteen inches tall and the leaves
and stalks can be harvested several times.
The land preparation
This plant need to be grown in full
sun. The plant can also tolerate partial shade. This plant really grows best in
a well-worked, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter, but the plant does
not actually favor soil that is too acidic. This plant also grows best in a
soil pH of about 6.0 to 6.8.
The planting time
This plant grows best in a cool temperature. A
high temperature can slow down the leaf production. Make sure you sow the swiss
chard in the garden two to four weeks after all frost has passed in spring. If you
want to get started you can sow the swiss chard indoors as early as three to four
weeks before the average last frost date in spring, you can transplant it out
when the plants are about three to four inches tall. You can plant the swiss chard
also in summer for a fall harvest. If the plant is established it can tolerate
heat and frost.
The spacing and
planting of swiss chard
You can sow the swiss chard seed ½ inches
deep from one to two inches apart. Make sure you thin successful seedlings from
eight to twelve inches apart. Also the space rows eighteen to twenty-four
inches apart.
How to grow swiss chard
in container
This plant will grow in an eight inches
pot. You can plant two or three plants in a container. For a larger container, you
can set the swiss chard in wide rows on eight inch centers. Make sure you pick
older, outside leaves first and then allow the young, tender leaves to grow on.
The feeding and
watering of plant
Make sure you keep the swiss chard
evenly moist for quick, tender growth. Also make sure you prepare the planting
beds with a well-aged compost in advance of sowing. You can also side dress the
swiss chard with aged compost at midseason.
The following are the companion
plants; leeks, Chicory, onions, garlic, mustard. Don’t grow swiss chard with potatoes,
legumes or tomatoes.
Pest and disease
control in swiss chard
Insects like aphids normally attack swiss
chard. You can control this insect by pinching out the affected leaves or hose them
away with a blast of water. Swiss chard does not really have a serious disease
problem.
How to harvest swiss
chard
This plant will be ready for harvest
in fifty-five to sixty days from sowing. You can pick the outside leaves as
early as 3 inches long before the leaves grow to ten inches long. Don’t forget
that the older leaves will have an earthy flavor. You can harvest swiss chard on
a cut-and-come-again schedule. Make sure you remove a few outside leaves at a
time. By peradventure if you harvest the whole plant, make sure you cut it back
to about three inches above the soil and it will grow back.
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