Swiss chard

Common Name: Silverbeet, Strawberry Spinach, Roman Kale

Botanical Name: Beta vulgaris

Vegetable Type: Leafy green

Varieties: Bright Lights, Fordhook Giant, Large White Ribbed

The Swiss chard is a plant which is quite popular in Mediterranean areas, and can be prepared by either boiling, steaming or roasting. The stalks come in red, white, yellow, and green, but all have a similar slightly bitter taste. Its health benefits are numerous as it is high in vitamins K, A, C, magnesium, potassium, and dietary fibre. Let’s take a look at some of this plant’s main features.

Note: You can find Swiss Chard and other salad vegetable seeds online in our heirloom seeds collection for online delivery anywhere in India

Plant Features

Life-Cycle: Annual

Height: 45 – 90cm (1.5-3ft)

Width: 15 – 45cm (0.5-1.5ft)

Flowering Season: Summer

Flowers: Circular, yellow, 4-petaled flowers

Foliage: Leaf colour depends on the variety of Swiss chard, and can vary from a typical medium green to red, purple or yellow. The leaves are all coarse textured.

Planting/Growing Details

Sunlight: Early in the growing season full sun is required, i.e. 6-8 hours of direct exposure to sunlight. However, once the summer season begins, then part shade, i.e. 3-4 hours of sunlight is enough for the plant.

Water: Regular watering intervals, it needs consistent moisture, especially as the plants grow in size

Sowing Season: This crop is usually sown around 2-3 weeks before the last frost, or the end of the cool season.

Sowing Method: These plants can be directly sown outside, about 1-2 cm deep, and 5-15 cm apart, and in rows about 45-60 cm apart. Each seed produces more than one plant, so thinning will be required after a month to about 15-30 cm spacings. The seeds germinate in around one week, and then grown optimally in hot weather.

Care: Make sure not to plant the crop too early as this can lead to bolting, or poor yield. Mulch the plants so that moisture is retained, and weeds do not affect it. Cut the plants back if they become too tall (over 30cm) as the chard is known to lose its flavour if it is overgrown.

Pests: This plant is relatively free from pests, with only the common aphid affecting it in some cases. This infestation can be removed by washing the leaves and stem of the plant with soapy water.

Harvest: The harvesting can begin when the plants are around 15-20cm (6-8in) tall. The leaves can be cut off, and can be cooked like spinach. If you cut the plants about 3-5 cm above the soil, then the plant will continue to grow back again for another harvest.

Propagation: Swiss chard is propagated mainly by seeds.

This crop is popular as it is relatively easy to grow, and is favoured to warmer climes. Impress guests with this classy and tasty green in your dishes. The vibrant colours of some of the chard varieties also add a nice addition to your garden. So get started with your Swiss chard planting today!

Note: Eat healthy, grow your own salad vegetables – easy to start, just grab one of our Salad Greens Seeds packs, for delivery anywhere in India.