Harvest Type:  Single or continuous

Transplant/Direct Sow:  Direct sow or transplant

When to Plant:  2-3 weeks before the last average frost date.

Days to Germinate:  5-7 days

Days to Maturity:  55-60 days

Planting Depth:  ½-1” deep

Germination Temp:  40-100°F

Seed Spacing:  2” apart

Rows:  18-24" apart

Light:  Full sun to partial shade

Soil pH:  6.0-6.8 pH

Water:  1-1 ½” of water per week

Soil Temperature:  60-85°F

Fertilizer:  10-10-10 N-P-K ratio

Rotation:  Chard is like a root vegetable.  Rotate annually with heavy feeders.

Harvest Type

Chard is a continuous crop that you harvest by cutting leaves. You can cut all the leaves or plant extra plants so that you harvest only some leaves.

TIP: Chard is also excellent as a microgreen.

Transplant / Direct Sow

Transplant seedlings or direct sow seeds.

When to Plant:

Plant 2-3 weeks before the last average frost dates. Seedlings will handle mild frosts.

Days to germinate

5-7 days in full sun.

Days to maturity

It takes about 55-60 days, depending on the variety.

TIP: Use successive planting to stretch your yield. Chard will also grow in both a spring garden or a fall garden.

Planting Depth

Plant seeds 1/2-1" deep.

Germination Temperature Range

Over 40°F

Spacing Between Plants

Space chard plants 6-8" apart and sow seeds 1-2" apart.

Growing conditions

Chard is an easy plant to grow and one that is not too fussy. It likes slightly acidic soil and plenty of water. Plant in well-drained soil and prep the area with compost before planting. Fertilizer is okay in a 10-10-10 N-P-K ratio.

Companion Plants

Onions, garlic, leeks, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and mustards all grow well with chard.

Rotation

Rotate as needed, and chard will grow well in spots where heavy-feeder plants have grown.

Anticipated yields

Plan your garden yield at two-three plants per person.