Swiss chard is one of the most popular and delicious vegetables in Switzerland, and it’s no wonder that local gardeners and Swiss chefs alike want it to be free of pesky leaf miners. So if you’ve been struggling with an infestation of leaf miners in your Swiss chard, you don’t have to give up and shut down your garden. With the right steps, you can start getting relief from leaf miners in Swiss chard in no time.
The first step is to identify that you indeed have a leaf miner problem. A telltale sign of a leaf miner infestation is curled or distorted leaves on your Swiss chard plants. Windy weather can also cause leaves to curl, but if you notice many leaves curling in a relatively small area, and if they are turning yellow or brown instead of emerald green, chances are very high that you have parasitic leaf miners.
Once you’ve identified the problem, it’s time for a four-stage multi-pronged attack against the leaf miners on your Swiss chard. In Stage One, you’ll need to remove any infected leaves and stems from your Swiss chard plants. Do this by hand so you can dispose of them in a secure trash bag, and leave them out of your compost pile. Doing this will get rid of the adult form of the leaf miner, and you’ll want to do this as soon as you can. In Stage Two, spray the plants and their leaves every week or two with a product labeled specifically for leaf miner or even insecticidal soap to deter the larval form of the miner. You could also give your Swiss chard a Neem oil drench for extra prevention. In Stage Three, you may want to use floating row covers or barrier fabric to prevent any new adults from flying onto your plants, and in Stage Four, it’s always a good idea to rotate your crops, so you don’t keep replanting in the same soil.
Finally, as a bonus tip, you can treat your Swiss chard with a high-nitrogen fertilizer, as this will boost the plant’s vigor and help it survive future infestations. You can also try adding a few companion plants such as lavender or marigolds to your Swiss chard patch, as the strong aromas of these plants can help repel leaf miners and other pest insects.
With a bit of time and effort, your Swiss chard can be free and clear of leaf miners in no time and you can get back to adding this delicious green to your dishes. While it takes some work, it’s worth it to enjoy a nutrient-packed Swiss chard without having to worry about pesky leaf miners ruining your harvest.