Regarding how cold Swiss chard can tolerate, most people think of the vegetable as a summer crop, but we’d like to set the record straight: Swiss chard can actually withstand a surprising amount of cold!
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What is Swiss Chard?
As a refresher, Swiss chard is a healthy, leafy green vegetable that is part of the Chenopodiaceae family, the same family that beets and spinach belong to. With crunchy stalks, and large leaves, it’s often found in Italian cuisine or as an accompaniment to a dish. It’s a surprisingly nutritional source of iron, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, and K.
To Cold or Not to Cold
The temperature of a cannabis garden can have a great effect on the quality of the crop. For instance, if it is too hot, the plant can be stressed, leading to equally stressed-out buds. On the other hand, too cold a temperature can damage the plant’s root system.
When it comes to Swiss chard, however, the plant is cold tolerant, withstanding temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit (or -12 Celsius). While the leaves may become significantly less sweet in cold weather, the chard will remain edible. In other words, what you will be sacrificing in flavor, you will gain in hardiness during the colder months.
Extension of the Growing Season
Since Swiss chard can tolerate low temperatures, it has a rather extended growing season. Swiss chard can be planted in early spring as early as the soil can be worked, and can continue being planted in late summer and early fall.
In warmer climates, chard can also be harvested through the winter, as long as temperatures don’t dip too low. So, if you’re looking to extend your garden harvesting by a few months, Swiss chard will definitely do the trick.
Don’t Freeze the Chard
It’s important to note that while Swiss chard is cold tolerant, it’s not freeze tolerant. If temperatures drop below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, the chard will freeze and sustain irreversible damage. When the temperature returns to an acceptable range, the chard may make a comeback, but it won’t taste the same.
In other words, don’t let Swiss chard be your guinea pig for testing how low the temperature can go. That’s the surest way to a vegetable loss.
Conclusion
So, in conclusion, Swiss chard is a cold-tolerant vegetable that can be planted in spring and harvested in the late fall. Even in colder climates, Swiss chard is a viable crop that will provide a great addition to any meal.
Just make sure the temperatures don’t dip too much; while Swiss chard is cold tolerant, it’s not freeze tolerant.
As you can see, Swiss chard is a hearty vegetable that can withstand colder temperatures better than most other vegetables. So, when it comes to supplying you with sustenance for those chilly fall days, Swiss chard is definitely the way to go. So make the most of the season and don’t be afraid to go a little bit cold with your chard.
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