How to Grow Swiss Chard Step-by-Step Guide

Add a little extra color and nutrition to your garden and grow swiss chard this season. Swiss chard is considered a leafy green vegetable; however, the stalks may be white, yellow or red. The leaves of swiss chard can be prepared like spinach and the stalks like asparagus. The plant has high amounts of vitamin A and C and contains calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium. Swiss chard, like spinach, is a cool season vegetable that can tolerate frost.

Steps to Grow Swiss Chard

What You Need

Shovel

Compost

Swiss Chard Seeds

21–0‑0 Fertilizer

Step 1

Prepare the soil to a depth of 6 inches. Mix compost evenly through the soil.

Step 2

Begin planting about 3 weeks before the last frost day. Soak your swiss chard seeds in warm water overnight.

Step 3

Plant each seed at a depth of ½ inches. Space each plant 6 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart.

Step 4

Give your swiss chard 2 inches of water per week. Place mulch around your plants once the seedlings develop 3 to 4 new leaves.

Step 5

Add 21–0‑0 fertilizer around your plants at a rate of ¼ cup per 10 foot row a month after sowing your plants.

Step 6

Harvest the outer leaves of your swiss chard by cutting the leaves about 1 ½ inches from the ground. Allow the center bud and leaves to continue growing for later harvest.