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Swiss Chard
Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris
A workhorse leaf that shrugs off heat and cold in equal measure.
Sun
Full sun to part shade
Water
Regular
Soil
Fertile, well-drained, pH 6.0–7.0
Spacing
25 cm apart
Days to harvest
55 days
Hardiness
Zones 3–10
Seasonal Calendar
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Sow Harvest
The method
- 1
Sow direct
Sow 2 cm deep once soil warms in spring. Thin to 25 cm.
- 2
Water in dry spells
Steady water keeps leaves tender.
- 3
Harvest continuously
Snap outer stems at the base — the crown keeps producing all season.
Common problems
Leaf miner
Cover with insect mesh; remove tunneled leaves.
Downy mildew
Give the plants space and airflow.
Good neighbors
BeanOnionCabbage
Field tips
- “'Bright Lights' is worth growing for the colored stems alone.”
- “Overwinters in mild climates — pick young leaves through winter.”