Growing Swiss Chard - Benefits and Instructions

 

Benefits of Growing Swiss Chard

  • Medicinal- Swiss Chard contains strong antioxidant properties that promotes bone development, prevents cardiovascular disease, boosts cognitive development, maintain healthy hair, skin and nails, improve muscle function and support eye health.
  • Nutritional Profile - High levels of Vitamin K, C and A as well as potassium, magnesium, calcium and copper.
  • Use in: Soups, stews, smoothies, roast, saute, pasta, salads.
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Growing Instructions 

Culture:

Sun Exposure: Full sun, but will tolerate partial shade.
Soil: Well drained, fertile soil with a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0. 
Moisture: Water evenly and consistently to help it grow better. Water plants often during dry spells in the summer. Mulch plants to retain moisture, and keep weeds down. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings, overly wet soil will cause the roots to rot.
Planting: Direct sow seeds 2-4 weeks after last chance of frost, or start seeds indoor 3-4 weeks before the last frost.  Plants can be transplanted when they are 3-4 inches tall. Plant in 10 day intervals for a continuous harvest. Chard grows quite well in containers and be grown in as small as a 8 inch pot.
Spacing: Plant 4 Swiss Chard plants per square foot of growing space using Square Foot Gardening Method.  Or plant in rows 8-12 inches apart.
Sow seeds: Sow seeds 1/2" deep

 

Harvesting:

Swiss Chard can be harvested as soon as the plants grow 9-12 inches. Harvest the outer leaves first to allow the tender inner leaves to continues growing. The entire plant can be harvested by cutting it with a sharp knife above the soil line.  Swiss Chard is a 'cut and come again' crop, since new leaves will continue to grow from the center of the plant after harvest. The smaller leaves are very tender and are ideal for salad greens, whereas the more mature leaves are ideal for cooking and the midribs can be used just like celery.

Storage/Preparation:

Fresh chard can be stored in a perforated plastic bag in the vegetable crisper drawer of the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Chard can also be frozen, either chopped or whole. Stored in an airtight container or bag, it can last in the freezer for up to 12 months.

Companions:

Leeks, brassicas, celery, marigolds, bush beans, rosemary, mint, thyme.

 

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