Swiss chard

Swiss chard is a vibrant, easy-to-grow leafy green that adds a splash of colour and nutrition to your garden and plate! Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned gardener, this low-maintenance veggie provides a steady supply of delicious leaves from summer through autumn (and even winter in mild climates). Let's dive into how to grow your own beautiful swiss chard!

Summary: Growing Swiss Chard

Swiss chard is an easy and rewarding vegetable to grow. Sow seeds directly outdoors from April to July, or start them indoors in March/April for later transplanting. Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Water regularly, and harvest the outer leaves as needed throughout the summer and fall. The colourful stems and leaves of swiss chard varieties, like 'Bright Lights' and 'Rainbow Chard', make it a beautiful addition to your garden, plus they're nutritious and tasty! You can enjoy swiss chard recipes all season long!

Getting Started with Swiss Chard

Swiss chard, also known as chard plant, is a fantastic option for both new and experienced gardeners. It's one of the easy vegetables to grow and is super versatile in the kitchen. The best part? It comes in a range of colours - white, yellow, orange, red, and pink - so it's a real eye-catcher in the garden! These vibrant colours also add a fun twist to your leafy greens salads or cooked dishes.

When to Plant Swiss Chard

You have a few options when planting swiss chard. For a summer harvest, sow seeds directly outdoors from April to July. If you're keen to get a head start, you can sow seeds indoors in modules during March and April for transplanting later. For a fall/winter crop, sow seeds in late summer. In milder regions, you can even harvest through the winter.

How to Sow Swiss Chard

For direct sowing, prepare a seedbed in full sun and sow seeds 2.5cm deep and 10-15cm apart, in rows that are 30-45cm apart. Water them well, and they'll get going in no time. If starting indoors, sow one seed per module. This will give the chard plant a good start before it's ready to go outside.

Transplanting Swiss Chard

Once your seedlings are around 10cm tall and have good root systems, it’s time to plant them outside. Make sure all risk of frost has passed. Space them 30-45cm apart in rows in a sunny area with well-prepared soil. Water them in well, and they’ll be off and running.

Caring for Your Swiss Chard

Caring for swiss chard is fairly straightforward. Water them regularly, especially during dry weather to prevent them from bolting (going to seed prematurely). Remove any yellow or damaged leaves to keep the plants healthy and encourage new growth. Keep an eye out for pests like aphids. If you spot them, use an organic insecticide to control them.

Harvesting Swiss Chard

The best way to encourage continuous growth is to harvest the outer leaves from young plants. Harvesting swiss chard can start around 12 weeks after sowing, and you can continue harvesting throughout the summer and autumn. The leaves of fall vegetables, such as Swiss chard, can even be harvested through the winter in mild regions.

Pests and Diseases

Swiss chard is usually pretty low-maintenance, but watch out for aphids, downy mildew, and slugs and snails. Aphids can be controlled with organic insecticides; remove any leaves affected by downy mildew, and improve air circulation around your plants. For slugs and snails, try removing them by hand or using traps. Generally, you'll find organic gardening methods work best for this robust vegetable.

Swiss Chard Varieties

There are several varieties to choose from, each adding its own unique charm to your garden. 'Bright Lights' is a popular option with a mix of yellow, orange, pink, red, and white stems. 'Charlotte' is a compact, red-stemmed variety, while 'Rainbow Chard' offers a beautiful mix of stem colours. All are equally delicious and packed with swiss chard benefits.

Month-by-Month Guide

• March/April: Sow seeds indoors in modules.
• April - July: Sow seeds outdoors directly in the ground.
• Late Spring: Plant out seedlings once frost risk has passed.
• Summer/Autumn: Harvest outer leaves regularly.
• Winter (Milder regions): Continue harvesting leaves.

So, there you have it! Growing swiss chard is an easy and colourful way to add fresh, homegrown goodness to your meals and enhance your garden. Enjoy the beautiful leaves and stems, and get creative with those swiss chard recipes!