Who knew Swiss Chard was such a blast to grow? Planting Swiss Chard can be a great outdoor activity for the family. It’s not hard, and you can have fresh Swiss chard for dinner in no time! Read on to learn how to plant Swiss Chard.
Growing Swiss Chard in your own garden can take a bit of nurturing, but with some care and attention your plants will reward you with delicious, vibrant leaves and colorful stems.
First, choose a spot in your garden that gets at least six hours of full sun every day; if you don’t have much sun available in your garden, Swiss Chard can tolerate light shade.
The soil should be slightly acidic and well-draining; if the soil is too heavy, mix in a bit of compost to improve the drainage so that water doesn’t stagnate and rot your roots.
If you have acidic soil that contains a lot of clay, you should try mulching with an organic material like grass clippings or wood chips to improve drainage.
Then, go buy your seeds. Here’s a hint: choose a variety of Swiss Chard that is good for your climate; there are many varieties available so do your research and find one that fits best!
Next, sow your seeds in rows. Make sure to keep the rows about 6” apart and place them as close to the edge of your bed as possible; this helps you make sure you have enough room for the leaves to spread out without crowding out other plants.
When it comes time to water, make sure you water at least 1 inch per week. If it’s very hot outside, you may need to water more often.
Swiss Chard is propagated from seed, but it’s also possible to divide the mature plants in the spring or fall to get more plants. Divide the mature plants into small clumps and replant each clump in the same or another bed.
For extra flavor, add a few drops of olive oil to the water when you water the plants. This will help bring out the natural sweetness of the chard.
That’s it! With a little bit of TLC, you’ll be growing Swiss Chard like a pro in no time. Have fun with it, and enjoy the delicious Swiss Chard that you’ve grown with your own two hands. Bon Appetit!