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Swiss Chard

Beta vulgaris

INTRODUCTION

Swiss Chard as a plant, is botanically the same as Beetroot but instead of forming a root, is grown purely for its colourful leaves and stems.

Because it does not transport well and very quickly loses vigour, it is not a vegetable that you will find in any supermarket and so you have no choice but to grow your own.

Swiss Chard is a good alternative to Spinach, with less tendency to bolt. It also has the added benefit of looking good in any ornamental flower borders.

Soil Preparation

Swiss Chard is a relatively straightforward crop to grow but good soil preparation is preferable for the best results.

The growing site should be in a sunny position for the very best stem and foliage colour but will tolerate light shade in the height of summer. 

The ground should be light, fertile, moisture-retentive but free-draining.

Add organic material to the soil well in advance of sowing. 

As with Beetroot, Swiss Chard dislikes acidic soils. Check your soil pH and add lime if necessary.

Sowing & Planting

Prepare the seedbed by removing any weed from the soil and rake level to a fine tilth.

Sowing can begin from mid-March, weather permitting.

Cover early sowings with cloches or fleece as Swiss Chard seed will not readily germinate in cold soil.

Carefully take out a drill (shallow groove) and sow seed thinly. Cover seed to a depth of 1cm. Leave 45cm (18inches) between rows.

Water well with a watering can with rose, try not to disturb the newly sown seed. Keep moist until seed has germinated which will take about 14 days.

Later sowings can be made during late summer for harvests the following spring. Some winter protection may be required in periods of extreme cold.

Growing & General Cultivation

As with Beetroot, Swiss Chard seed is 'multigerm' and germinates into a cluster of two or three individual seedlings which will need thinning. Thin seedlings to approx 20cm (8inches) between plants.

Thinning can be carried out in two stages several weeks apart.

Keep growing area weed-free but take care not to damage plants when hoeing.

Regular watering is required to maintain growth but do not overwater. 

Feeding should not be necessary.

Pests & Diseases

Swiss Chard is probably among the most trouble-free plants in the kitchen garden. The only occasional issues may be:

Slugs and Snails can be a problem for young plants - for remedies - see product directory.

Leaf Spot may affect older leaves but is never a real problem.

Harvesting

Harvesting can begin at approx 10 weeks from sowing.

Cut the stems with a sharp knife taking the youngest first. Older stems and foliage will have a more bitter taste.

Cut as required and use immediately as Swiss Chard does not keep.

Stems and foliage can be separated and cooked individually. 

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