How to Grow Swiss Chard for Beginners
Looking to add a colorful and versatile veggie to your garden? This guide on how to grow swiss chard for beginners is the perfect place to start! We’ll cover everything you need to know—from planting and spacing to fertilizing, weeding, and harvesting this tasty and nutritious salad favorite.
It’s another great addition to your Gardening 101 toolkit, so grab your gloves, and let’s get growing!
I’ll be honest—Swiss chard is one of those plants I’ve never really had much experience with. To be honest, I’m not even sure I’ve ever eaten it! But hey, that doesn’t mean I’m not curious to learn. Lately, I’ve noticed that as I get older, I’m way more open to trying new foods and expanding my palate. Who knows? Maybe Swiss chard will soon make its way into my own garden lineup.
Things to Know About Growing Swiss Chard
Swiss chard might remind you of kale or lettuce at first glance, but it’s actually part of the beet family. Unlike beets, though, the focus isn’t on the root. Instead, you get glossy, kale-like leaves with eye-catching veins in bright shades of white, red, magenta, yellow, or orange. The stalks are sturdy, and the flavor is like a mix of spinach and celery with a fun splash of neon color added in.
This leafy green is a biennial typically grown as an annual, and it thrives in all planting zones. It loves cooler temperatures, staying hardy down to 15°F, but it can handle heat too—as long as it’s watered well.
When choosing a spot to plant, aim for full sun to partial shade and go for rich, well-draining soil. The ideal pH level is between 6.0 and 8.0, so it might be worth testing your soil before you get started.
Swiss chard, or Beta vulgaris, stands out because it isn’t “day-length sensitive.” This means it’s not as likely to bolt (go to seed) as other leafy greens. If you’re in a warmer climate, you can expect it to set seeds in its second year, at which point the leaves lose their flavor. But if you’re in a colder climate, seed-setting shouldn’t be an issue.
Fun Fact: One of the best things about Swiss chard? It’s a “cut and come again” veggie. The more you snip leaves during the growing season, the more it’ll produce, keeping your garden looking lush and your plates filled with delicious greens.
Types of Swiss Chard
There are plenty of Swiss chard varieties to choose from, each adding a splash of color to your garden and a burst of flavor to your meals. Here’s a rundown of some popular options:
- Five Color (Rainbow): This isn’t technically one variety but a mix of seeds with stalks in a range of colors. It’s perfect if you want to maximize the colorful appeal of your garden.
- Fordhook Giant: Known for its excellent flavor, this variety thrives in most temperatures and produces greenish-white leaves.
- Perpetual: With a taste similar to spinach, Perpetual is a fast grower. Harvest the outer leaves, and it quickly regrows, ready for another round.
- Lucullus: Great for different growing conditions, this variety handles both heat and cold. Bonus points for its delicious flavor.
- Orange Fantasia: This variety stands out with its bright orange stems and dark green leaves. It’s bolt-resistant and grows 8 to 10-inch stalks, making it a great option for container gardening.
- Ruby: Imagine a combo of celery and rhubarb! Ruby has striking red stems and vibrant green leaves, making it both decorative and delicious all summer and fall.
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No matter which variety you pick, you’ll bring both beauty and freshness to your garden and kitchen.
How Much to Plant
Since you can harvest only the outer leaves and allow the plant to regrow, you’ll only need 2 to 3 plants per person. To make sure you can harvest regularly, you’ll want to space out your plantings by a few weeks and plant a few times over the spring and early summer.
Seed, Bulb, or Plant?
Swiss chard grows from unique, irregular seed clusters, each containing multiple seeds. You might find these sold as “pelletized” or “decorticated,” meaning the rough edges have been smoothed for easier planting with seeding tools.
If you prefer to start indoors, sow the seeds and transplant once the soil warms to 50°F. Keep in mind, each cluster contains several seeds, so you’ll need to thin out the extras before planting.
Before transplanting, harden off your seedlings by gradually introducing them to the outdoors. Place them outside for a few hours a day over several days to help them adjust before moving them into the ground.
How Long Does Swiss Chard Take to Grow?
Most Swiss chard varieties are ready to harvest in just 50 to 60 days, making it a quick and rewarding addition to your garden.
What You Need to Grow Swiss Chard
Here’s a quick and easy checklist to help you get set up for a successful Swiss chard crop this season:
- Location: Pick a spot with plenty of space because these plants need room to spread out and grow.
- When to Plant: Swiss chard thrives best when planted in cool weather, so aim for early spring or late summer.
- Sunlight: Make sure your garden spot gets lots of sunlight! Partial shade can work too, especially in hotter climates.
- Soil: Go for well-draining, nutrient-rich soil to keep your plants happy and healthy.
When to Plant Swiss Chard
The best time to plant Swiss chard is in early spring, about 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost. With its shallow roots, it’s super versatile and grows just as well in the ground as it does in raised garden beds or containers. This makes it a fantastic choice, even if you’re working with a smaller garden space.
How to Grow Swiss Chard for Beginners
Growing Swiss chard is easier than you might think, but it does need a little planning to thrive. Here’s a quick guide to help you get started:
1. Temperature
Swiss chard is pretty adaptable and can handle a range of temperatures throughout spring, summer, and fall. Start planting 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost, and you’ll enjoy a harvest that lasts until fall. For the best results, aim for soil temperatures of at least 50°F for germination. If it gets hotter than 80°F, water more often and add mulch to keep the soil cool and happy.
2. Sun
Swiss chard loves soaking up the sun! It does best with 6 to 8 hours of full sun daily, but it can handle partial sun if needed.
3. Soil
Start with nutrient-rich, well-draining soil. Aim for a pH between 6.0 and 8.0, with 6.0 to 6.8 being the sweet spot. Before planting, enrich the soil with compost, fertilizer, or other organic matter to give your plants the best start. A quick soil test can guide you on what’s needed.
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4. Water
Like all leafy greens, Swiss chard needs about 1 to 1 ½ inches of water every week. This can come from rain, but you’ll likely need to supplement with watering to keep it hydrated.
5. Fertilizing
Feeding your Swiss chard throughout the growing season with a continuous-release fertilizer helps ensure a bountiful, healthy crop.
6. Support
The good news? Swiss chard doesn’t need much support. These plants only grow about 20 inches tall, so you’re all set without any stakes or trellises.
How to Plant Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is easy to grow, making it a great choice for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike. Be sure to plan to plant your seeds or seedlings 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost. Swiss chard also thrives in raised beds or containers, as long as they’re deep enough for the roots to grow comfortably.
Spacing
When planting, leave about 12 inches between each seed or seedling, with rows spaced roughly 18 inches apart. If you’re growing from seeds, remember that each cluster contains multiple seeds, so you’ll need to thin them out as they germinate. Seedlings should also be thinned before transplanting to avoid overcrowding.
Depth
Prepare the soil by loosening it up to 12 inches deep. Mix in plenty of fertilizer, compost, or organic matter to give your plants the nutrients they need to thrive. Swiss chard loves rich, well-draining soil, so this step is key for a healthy crop.
Diseases and Pests to Watch Out For
Just like other fruits and veggies in your garden, Swiss chard has its share of pests and potential issues. Here are a few to keep an eye on and how to tackle them:
- Hungry Herbivores
Deer and rabbits find Swiss chard just as tasty as you do. To keep them away, try using row covers or surrounding your plants with chicken wire. - Pesky Insects
Poor soil, drainage, spacing, or weed control can invite unwanted guests like aphids, beet leafhoppers, flea beetles, slugs, and leaf miners. These critters can damage your plants, spread diseases, or lay eggs that bring even more trouble. Crop rotation is a great way to prevent them from settling in your soil, and floating row covers act as a barrier to help keep them at bay. If you do spot them, handpick them off or give your plants a good blast of water from the hose. - Water Woes and Disease
Swiss chard isn’t usually prone to disease, but improper watering can cause problems. Over or under watering can lead to growth deformities, curly top disease, fungal issues, and even root rot. An organic fungicide can help fend off fungal problems, but the key is watering smartly. Stick to light, frequent watering instead of drenching all at once, and avoid leaving the soil too wet, as recovery is tough for oversaturated plants.
How to Harvest Swiss Chard
To enjoy more often, start harvesting the outer leaves when they are about 6 inches tall. They’ll be tender and tasty and this will allow for more regrowth. When harvesting, make a clean cut across the stem about an inch above the base of the plant.
As temperatures start to drop and light frosts begin, dig up the plants, roots and all. If you leave some of the soil attached, you can store them in a cool, moist place for continued growth and more harvesting into winter.
If you don’t plan to continue harvesting into winter, you can either cut off individual stems or the entire plant at soil level for the final harvest.
How to Store Swiss Chard
Rinse off the leaves and stems before storing and pat dry. Harvested leaves will stay fresh for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. You can also place them in a plastic storage bag with a damp paper towel and they’ll last up to a week in the fridge.
You can also blanch and cool the leaves and freeze them up to a year. You can also freeze raw, dry leaves. The stalks can be pickled.
Can You Grow Swiss Chard in Containers?
Absolutely, Swiss chard thrives in containers and is perfect for small spaces. Here’s how to get started:
- Choose the Right Container – Pick a pot that’s at least 12 inches deep and wide with good drainage holes.
- Use Quality Soil – Fill the container with nutrient-rich potting soil mixed with compost.
- Plant Your Seeds or Seedlings
Space seeds or seedlings about 6–8 inches apart to give them room to grow. - Water Regularly – Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Containers tend to dry out quickly, so check often.
- Provide Sunlight – Place the container where it gets at least 6 hours of sunlight daily.
- Fertilize as Needed – Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every few weeks to keep the plants healthy.
With a few grow bags on your back porch you can grow all the swiss chard your family needs in a smaller space.
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How to Save Swiss Chard Seeds for Future Planting
If you grow Swiss chard as an annual, it won’t go to seed. However, if you overwinter your plants, they’ll bloom again in spring, producing tiny green flowers that set seeds by the end of their second growing season. Once this process starts, you’ll notice the leaves turning bitter, which is your cue to keep an eye out for seed pod development.
When the pods turn brown, it’s time to harvest. Snip off the entire stalk and place it in an open paper bag, letting it dry in a cool, dry spot for about one to two weeks. Once dried, run your fingers down each stalk to release the seed clusters. Separate the seeds from the stalk, and store them in jars or plastic bags in a cool, dry place. These seeds stay viable for up to five years, giving you plenty of time to replant and enjoy future harvests.
Saving seeds is an easy, rewarding way to grow your garden year after year.
Growing Tips for Swiss Chard
- Swiss chard does not have to be harvested all at once. You can harvest just the outer leaves when they are large enough to eat, they’ll be more tender and flavorful when they’re young. This will also encourage regrowth of outer leaves, giving you more to enjoy.
- To enjoy more all season long, you can space your planting out and plant several times throughout the spring and summer so that it’s ready to harvest at different times.
- Good companion vegetables include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, radishes, and cabbage. Lettuce, mint, sweet alyssum and chamomile also do well. These all require the same type of soil, temperatures, sun, and water. Sweet alyssum and chamomile will also encourage pollinators.
- Adding birdbaths and birdhouses to your garden area will encourage more birds that will feed on insects and other pests.
- Avoid planting corn, cucumber, melon, potatoes, and pumpkin near Swiss chard.
Swiss chard is a fairly easy vegetable to grow and when you harvest only the outer leaves, it will regrow again and again all season, giving you plenty to enjoy without planting a lot of seed. It also works well as a companion plant to many other vegetables in your garden, making it a good addition. And, since you can freeze it, you can enjoy it all year long, even months after your last harvest.
