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Direct sow any time from early spring to mid-summer. Chard is moderately winter hardy and may perform into the following spring where winters are mild. Optimal soil temperature: 10-30°C (50-85°F). Seeds should sprout in 7-14 days.
What month do you plant Swiss chard?
Swiss chard prefers rich, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. In the North, sow from early spring to midsummer for a fall crop; in the South sow in fall to spring. Sow the seeds 1/2 inch deep in rows spaced 18 inches apart. Thin seedlings to 12 inches apart when they are large enough to handle.
When should I start swiss chard seeds?
When to Sow Swiss Chard Seeds Swiss chard plants are somewhat frost hardy, so the seeds can be sown outside directly in the soil about two weeks before the average last frost date of spring. If you want to get a head start, however, you can start them indoors three to four weeks before the last frost date in your area.
Do you soak Swiss chard seeds before planting?
When to Plant Swiss Chard For the spring season, plant chard seeds 2 to 3 weeks before the last spring frost date. When ready to plant, apply 5-10-10 fertilizer to the area. To speed germination, soak seeds in water for 24 hours prior to planting.
When can you plant chard seeds?
How to Sow Chard. Sow your seeds anytime from spring to late summer, when a quick late-season crop can often be squeezed in. Mark out seed drills with a trowel. The drills should be about 1in (2cm) deep, with 16in (40cm) left between additional rows.
When can you plant Swiss chard outside?
Plant Swiss chard in the spring, 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost date. These colorful, nutritious plants grow well in raised garden beds, containers, and in-ground gardens. Space Swiss chard 12 to 18 inches apart in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8.
Can Swiss chard grow in winter?
Swiss chard not only grows well in the hot temperatures of summer, but it also tolerates frost. In fact, chard may actually taste better when it’s grown in cold weather. However, plants will be killed by temperatures below 15 degrees F.
How do you start Swiss chard from seed?
Start planting about 2 to 3 weeks before last expected frost. Sow seeds ½ to 1 inch deep, 2 to 6 inches apart, in rows 18 to 24 apart. Like beets, chard “seeds” produce more than one plant, and so will require thinning. Thin to 6- to 12-inch spacings.
How long do Swiss chard seeds take to germinate?
Seeds should sprout in 7-14 days. Sow seeds 1cm (½”) deep, spaced 10-30cm (4-12″) apart in rows 45cm (18″) apart.
Can I start Swiss chard seeds indoors?
We recommend sowing directly in the garden as Swiss chard grows quickly, but you can start indoors 6-8 weeks early if you wish.
How many chard seeds are in a hole?
To plant it in your garden, push seeds 1/2″ deep and about 10″ apart. If you plant more than one seed per hole, thin them to one every 10″ when they are about 1″ tall.
How do you plant Swiss chard seeds outside?
Swiss chard prefers rich, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. In the North, sow from early spring to midsummer for a fall crop; in the South sow in fall to spring. Sow the seeds 1/2 inch deep in rows spaced 18 inches apart. Thin seedlings to 12 inches apart when they are large enough to handle.
Why is my Swiss chard not growing?
Swiss chard is quite particular where soil type is concerned. You have to make sure that the soil is not too acidic, or the plant will not attain its full height. The pH of the soil should be within the range of 6.5 and 6.8. Also, you have to make provisions for the soil to drain its moisture effectively.
Is it too late to sow chard?
So, if you are going to sow one more thing this summer, let it be Swiss chard. Sown now into warm summer soils, it will grow big quickly – big enough to survive right into winter. You can use the thinnings for salads: if picked very small, the young leaves are good raw.
Does Swiss chard come back every year?
Chard is a biennial plant, meaning it has a two year life cycle, but it is cultivated as an annual in the vegetable garden and harvested in its first season of growth. Once it begins to flower and set seed in its second year, its leaves turn bitter and unpalatable.
Are chard seedlings Hardy?
Chard comes from the Mediterranean area so it is quite capable of withstanding hot weather although it would prefer a bit of shade in the mid-summer if possible. It’s also hardy to a certain degree in cooler temperatures so a full sun or partial shade site will be fine.
How cold can chard tolerate?
Swiss Chard Swiss chard is very cold-tolerant, & can survive dips to 15 °F without any protection.
Does Swiss chard grow in shade?
Swiss Chard Among vegetables, leafy greens are the most tolerant of shade, including kale, lettuce, spinach, arugula and chard. Related to both beets and spinach, Swiss chard tastes a little like both and is fairly easy to grow.
What can I plant next to Swiss chard?
What should you plant with Swiss Chard? Good companion plants for swiss chard are leeks, kale, cabbage, lettuce, marigolds, celery, peas, bush beans, rosemary, mint, thyme, basil, chives, marjoram, lavender, kohlrabi, radish, onions, garlic, alyssum, tropaeolum and collard greens.
Can chard survive a freeze?
Semi-hardy vegetables are those which can survive repeated light frosts in the 30–32˚F range. These include beets, Chinese cabbage, cauliflower, celery, collards, green onions, potatoes, Bibb and leaf lettuce, mustard, parsnips, radishes, salsify, spinach, and Swiss chard.
At what temperature does Swiss chard freeze?
10) Swiss Chard Although a popular vegetable grown for fall, chard is also remarkably cold-tolerant, surviving dips to 15 °F (-10 °C) without protection.
Is chard a winter vegetable?
As a winter vegetable, chard grows well with other root crops, like carrots, turnips, and parsnips. It also grows well with the aforementioned spinach and kale. This lovely and highly nutritious vegetable is happiest when the temperatures of spring and fall are cool and moderate.
