How to Grow Chard

Chard, also known as Swiss chard, is a hardy leafy green that thrives in many home gardens. Beloved for its vibrant colors and nutritious leaves, chard is not only versatile in the kitchen but also visually striking in the garden.

It belongs to the same family as beets and spinach and shares many of the same growing requirements. This vegetable is particularly valued for its ability to grow in less than ideal conditions, making it a favorite among both novice and experienced gardeners.

Published: September 9, 2024.

The leaves of chard are large and often have colorful stalks, ranging from white and yellow to red and purple, adding a splash of color to your vegetable patch.

The plant can be harvested from late spring through to the first frost, providing a long season of produce. The nutritional profile of chard is impressive, as it is packed with vitamins A, C, and K, along with essential minerals like magnesium and iron.

Chard Ideal Growing Conditions

For chard to thrive, it requires certain environmental conditions. First and foremost, chard prefers cool temperatures but can adapt to a range of climates, making it a suitable crop for many regions. It grows best in temperatures between 50°F and 75°F (10°C to 24°C). When temperatures soar above 80°F (27°C), the plant may bolt, leading to bitter leaves.

The recommended dates for sowing chard in North America, according to the USDA zones:

• Zone 3: Mid-May to early June
• Zone 4: Early to mid-May
• Zone 5: Late April to mid-May
• Zone 6: Mid-April to early May
• Zone 7: Early April to late April
• Zone 8: Late March to mid-April
• Zone 9: Mid-February to early March
• Zone 10: January to February
• Zone 11: December to January

These timings account for avoiding frost and taking advantage of cooler spring and fall temperatures ideal for chard growth. Also, in warmer areas, be sure to go for locally grown varieties that tolerate slightly higher temperatures better.

How do you prepare the soil for planting chard?

Preparing the soil correctly is crucial for successful chard cultivation, ensuring healthy growth and abundant yields. Here’s how you can prepare the soil for planting chard:

• Choose the Right Location: Chard prefers well-draining soil and a sunny location, though it can tolerate partial shade. The area should receive at least 5 to 6 hours of sunlight daily.
• Test the Soil: Before planting, it’s a good idea to test your soil to determine its pH and nutrient levels. Chard grows best in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. If your soil is too acidic or alkaline, you can amend it accordingly with lime or sulfur to balance the pH.
• Amend the Soil: Incorporate organic matter into the soil to improve its fertility and structure. Well-rotted compost, aged manure, or worm castings will increase the nutrient content and enhance the soil’s ability to retain moisture. For sandy soils, organic matter helps retain water and nutrients, while in clay soils, it improves drainage and aeration.
• Turn the Soil: Use a spade or a tiller to loosen the soil to a depth of about 12 to 15 inches. This aerates the soil and helps integrate the organic matter evenly. Breaking up large clods and removing rocks and debris will make the soil more welcoming for chard’s roots.
• Level the Soil: After turning, rake the soil to remove any remaining clumps and smooth the surface. This also helps to level the area, which is important for consistent moisture retention and ease of planting.
• Add Fertilizers if Needed: Based on the soil test results, you might need to add a balanced fertilizer (for example, NPK 15:15:15 - note that too much nitrogen is not good since it causes plants to grow large but weak)  to provide an initial nutrient boost. However, with rich organic amendments, additional fertilizer may not be necessary at the time of planting.
• Moisten the Soil: Before sowing chard seeds or transplanting seedlings, ensure the soil is moist. Water the area gently to settle the soil and provide a good environment for seeds to germinate or for young plants to establish.

Good air circulation is critical to prevent fungal diseases, and spacing your chard plants about 12 to 18 inches apart can facilitate this. Additionally, chard requires adequate moisture, and mulching around the plants can help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

How Long Does Chard Take to Grow?

Chard typically takes about 50 to 60 days to reach maturity from the time of sowing the seeds.

However, you can begin harvesting the outer leaves as early as 30 days after planting if you're picking them young.

This makes chard a relatively quick crop that can provide yields throughout the growing season, especially if you harvest leaves gradually, allowing the plant to continue producing new growth.

Chard Varieties

Chard comes in several varieties, each with unique characteristics and visual appeal. Here are some popular chard varieties along with brief descriptions of each:

• Fordhook Giant - This variety is known for its broad, white stems and deep green, crinkled leaves. It is highly tolerant of heat and cold, making it a versatile choice for many gardens.
• Rainbow Chard - Also known as "Bright Lights," this variety features stems in a spectrum of colors including gold, pink, orange, purple, and red. The leaves are slightly milder in flavor compared to other varieties and it's particularly popular for its ornamental qualities.
• Ruby Red (Rhubarb Chard) - Distinguished by its striking crimson-red stems and dark green leaves, Ruby Red has a strong, earthy flavor and is as decorative as it is tasty. The color intensifies as the plant matures.
• Lucullus - This variety is noted for its pale green, heavily crinkled leaves with white, thick stalks. Lucullus is particularly heat resistant and is known for its excellent flavor.
• Bright Yellow - A vibrant variety with bright yellow stems and deep green leaves, offering a milder flavor ideal for salads and light cooking.
• Argentata - Known for its large, silver-white stalks and deep green leaves, Argentata is an heirloom variety that is both heat and cold tolerant. It's noted for its robust flavor and texture.
• Peppermint - Named for its distinctive white and pink striped stalks, Peppermint chard is not only visually striking but also has a mild, sweet flavor that works well in a variety of dishes.

Each of these chard varieties offers something unique in terms of flavor and visual appeal, making them suitable for both culinary uses and as part of an ornamental garden display.

How to Sow Chard

Sowing chard seeds directly in the garden is the most straightforward method to start your crop. Begin by planting the seeds about half an inch deep in the soil, spacing them about 2 to 3 inches apart. If you are sowing multiple rows, keep each row approximately 18 inches (~46 cm) apart to allow for growth and airflow.

Chard can be sown as early as two weeks before the last expected frost in spring. For a continuous harvest, consider sowing additional seeds every two weeks throughout the growing season. As the seedlings develop, thin them to about 12 inches apart, which gives each plant enough space to mature fully.

For those who prefer a head start, chard seeds can also be started indoors about four weeks before the last frost date. Use biodegradable pots to minimize root disturbance when transplanting. Once the seedlings have grown a few true leaves and are sturdy enough, transplant them into the garden following the spacing guidelines mentioned earlier.

How to Care For Chard

Caring for chard is relatively simple and rewarding. Water the plants regularly, aiming to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. During dry spells, increase watering as needed to maintain hydration.

Feed the plants with a balanced liquid fertilizer every four to six weeks to support their growth, especially if your soil is less fertile.

If the soil generally is less fertile, improve the soil and increase the amount of nutrients using aged manure, organic compost, worm castings or similar organic fertilizer (Amazon link, the link opens in the new window).

Regularly check for pests such as aphids and beetles, and manage them using appropriate organic methods. Chard can also be susceptible to leaf miners; to control these pests, remove affected leaves promptly and consider using floating row covers to protect the plants.

As chard grows, it can be harvested leaf by leaf, starting from the outer parts. This method allows the plant to continue producing new leaves throughout the season, ensuring many harvests from the same garden patch.

Alternatively, you can harvest entire plants if necessary, which is often done at the end of the growing season.

Few Final Words

Growing chard can be a delightful addition to any garden, offering both aesthetic appeal and a bounty of nutritious leaves.

Understanding the ideal growing conditions and providing proper care can help gardeners enjoy a continuous supply of chard from spring through fall.

Whether you are a seasoned gardener or just starting, chard is a forgiving and rewarding plant to cultivate. With its minimal care requirements and high yield, it is an excellent choice for anyone looking to add variety and color to their garden palette.