How to plant and grow Swiss Chard

EXTRA EASY, QUICK, CONTAINER-FRIENDLY, RAISED BED–FRIENDLY

Family	Amaranthaceae
Growing zones	N/A
Growing season(s)	cool weather: spring and fall
Spacing	6 to 12 inches
Start indoors or direct sow	direct sow
Earliest outdoor	4 weeks before last frost
Soil temperature	50° to 85°
Fall planting	10 weeks before average first frost
Sun needs	4+ hours
Water needs	moderate
Harvest category	all season, occasionally weather dependent
Preparation Tip	Young leaves can be used in salads. Both mature stems and leaves can be used in stir-fries; just cook the stems longer and add the leaves toward the end.

Snapshot	Swiss chard is a highly nutritious plant and a gorgeous addition to any garden. Less likely to bolt in hot weather than other greens and highly tolerant of cold, this leafy relative of beets and spinach can be enjoyed in multiple seasons.
Starting	Swiss chard isn’t demanding when it comes to soil, although it enjoys a slightly acidic pH (6.0 to 7.0) and thrives in a well-draining, loamy location. Direct sow seeds, spacing them 1 to 2 inches apart. As the seedlings emerge, cut extra seedlings at the soil line (save them for microgreens!) to a final spacing of 6 to 12 inches apart.
Growing	If Swiss chard bolts at all, it will not bolt in hot weather as quickly as other greens. Mulching around the plants will moderate soil moisture and temperature, preventing the plant from bolting. Keep the watering consistent, because lack of water may be a bigger factor than temperature in premature bolting.
Harvesting and Storing	Harvest young greens at 4 inches long, working from the outside in. For a harvest of both stems and leaves, harvest the entire plant when the largest leaves are 10 inches long, cutting about 2 inches above the soil surface. Leave the plant to resprout. Refrigerate the leaves and stalks and wash them only prior to cooking or eating them.
Common Problem	Slugs and snails love Swiss chard, especially in cooler, wetter times of the year. Spread a thin line of diatomaceous earth on the soil around each plant, and handpick any pests you spot on the leaves.