Get your hands dirty and dig into our How to Grow Swiss Chard guide! I've got all the juicy details on planting, picking, and cooking up this vibrant leafy green in your vegetable garden. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a newbie with a green thumb, these easy tips will have you harvesting fresh Swiss chard like a pro.

Jump to:
- What is Swiss Chard?
- Swiss Chard vs. Collard Greens
- Health Benefits of Swiss Chard
- Growing Swiss Chard from Seeds
- Planting Swiss Chard from Seed:
- Growing Swiss Chard to Harvest:
- Best Varieties to Grow
- Special Considerations:
- Common Diseases with Swiss Chard
- Pests Management with Swiss Chard
- How to Clean Swiss Chard
- Best Tips for How to Store Swiss Chard
- How to Freeze Swiss Chard
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Ready, Set, Grow! Your Swiss Chard Adventure Awaits!
- More gardening posts you'll love!
- Garden Guides, Tips & Tutorials
- Comments
What is Swiss Chard?
Swiss chard is a leafy green vegetable that belongs to the beet family and is a distant relative to spinach. It has large, tender leaves and colorful stems. Chard comes in shades of red, yellow, and white. Both the leaves and stems are edible and offer a mild, slightly earthy flavor.
It's a versatile ingredient in the kitchen and can be enjoyed raw in salads, sautéed, steamed, or added to soups and stews.
Swiss Chard vs. Collard Greens
First up, let's clear the garden bed and talk about Swiss chard versus collard greens. Both are leafy greens, but they have their own unique characteristics. Swiss chard boasts colorful stems and large, tender leaves, while collard greens have thicker, tougher leaves with a slightly bitter flavor. Swiss chard tends to be more versatile in the kitchen, but both greens are nutritious additions to any meal.
- Leaf Shape: Swiss chard typically has large, broad, arrow-shaped leaves with prominent veins, while collard greens have elongated, smooth leaves that resemble cabbage or kale.
- Stem Color: Swiss chard stems come in a variety of colors, including red, yellow, pink, and white, while collard greens have thick, pale green stems with no significant color variation.
- Texture: Swiss chard leaves are tender and somewhat glossy, with a slightly crisp texture, while collard greens have thicker, tougher leaves with a more matte appearance.
- Flavor: Swiss chard has a mild, slightly earthy flavor with a hint of sweetness, while collard greens have a stronger, more robust flavor with a slight bitterness.
- Growth Habit: Swiss chard plants tend to form a rosette of leaves with stems emerging from a central point, while collard greens grow in loose, upright bunches with leaves radiating from a central stem.
Health Benefits of Swiss Chard
Now, let's chat about why Swiss chard deserves a prime spot in your garden. This leafy green is a nutritional powerhouse, loaded with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like magnesium, potassium, and iron. Its high antioxidant content supports overall health and may even help lower the risk of chronic diseases. Plus, it's low in calories, making it a guilt-free addition to your plate. (source)
Growing Swiss Chard from Seeds
Growing Swiss chard from seeds is a breeze, even for beginners. Follow the same planting guides as you would for any member of the beet family, starting the seeds in cool weather and protecting the young plants with season extenders such as a row cover during a late frost.
Start by selecting a sunny spot in your garden (or greenhouse!) with well-drained soil. Sow the seeds in seed starting trays or directly into the ground about half an inch deep, spacing them 6 to 12 inches apart. Keep the soil consistently moist until the seeds germinate, usually within 7 to 14 days.
Planting Swiss Chard from Seed:
- Choose a sunny location: Select a spot in your garden that receives full sun to partial shade, as Swiss chard thrives in bright light.
- Prepare the soil: Ensure the soil is well-drained and amended with organic matter, such as compost or aged manure, to improve fertility and drainage.
- Sow seeds: Plant Swiss chard seeds directly into the ground in early spring or late summer, spacing them 6 to 12 inches apart and covering them with a thin layer of soil.
- Keep the soil moist: Water the seeds regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during germination.
- Thin seedlings if necessary: Once the seedlings emerge, thin them to ensure proper spacing and encourage robust growth. Leave the strongest seedlings to mature.
Growing Swiss Chard to Harvest:
- Provide adequate water: Swiss chard prefers consistently moist soil, so water regularly, especially during dry periods. Avoid overhead watering to prevent disease.
- Mulch around plants: Apply a layer of mulch, such as straw or shredded leaves, around Swiss chard plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and maintain even soil temperature.
- Fertilize as needed: If your soil is lacking in nutrients, feed Swiss chard with a balanced fertilizer or side-dress with compost throughout the growing season to promote healthy growth. You can read Cheap Ways to Add Nitrogen to the Soil to learn more easy ways to boost the health of your garden soil..
- Harvest regularly: Begin harvesting larger leaves when they reach 6 to 8 inches in length, using sharp scissors or shears to cut them at the base of the plant. Harvesting regularly encourages new growth and prolongs the harvest.
- Protect from pests: Keep an eye out for common pests like aphids, leaf miners, and flea beetles, and take appropriate measures to control them, such as handpicking or using organic insecticides.
- Monitor for disease: Watch for signs of diseases like powdery mildew or leaf spot, and promptly remove affected leaves to prevent the spread of infection.
- Consider succession planting: To extend your harvest, sow Swiss chard seeds every few weeks throughout the growing season, ensuring a continuous supply of fresh greens.
Best Varieties to Grow
Several varieties of Swiss chard are popular among gardeners and chefs alike. Here are some of the most popular varieties:
- Bright Lights: Known for its vibrant and colorful stems, Bright Lights Swiss chard comes in a rainbow of hues, including red, orange, yellow, pink, and white. It's not only visually stunning but also delicious and nutritious. The pictures in this blog are all Bright Lights or Rainbow.
- Fordhook Giant: Fordhook Giant Swiss chard is prized for its large, dark green leaves and tender, white stems. It has a mild flavor and is versatile in the kitchen, making it a favorite among gardeners.
- Ruby Red: As the name suggests, Ruby Red Swiss chard features deep red stems and veins that contrast beautifully with its dark green leaves. It adds a pop of color to salads, stir-fries, and other dishes.
- Rainbow: Similar to Bright Lights, Rainbow Swiss chard boasts a mix of colorful stems, including red, orange, yellow, and pink. It's not only visually appealing but also packed with flavor and nutrients.
- Golden: Golden Swiss chard has bright yellow stems and veins that stand out against its green leaves. It has a slightly milder flavor compared to other varieties, making it a versatile addition to a variety of dishes.
Special Considerations:
- Soil type: Swiss chard thrives in well-drained, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (around 6.0 to 7.0).
- Sunlight: While Swiss chard can tolerate partial shade, it performs best in full sun, receiving at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day.
- Temperature: Swiss chard is a cool-season crop that prefers moderate temperatures between 50°F and 75°F. Plant in early spring or late summer for best results.
- Frost tolerance: Swiss chard is tolerant of light frosts and can withstand temperatures down to 25°F. Consider covering plants with row covers or cloches to protect them during colder weather.
Common Diseases with Swiss Chard
When growing Swiss chard, it's essential to keep an eye out for common diseases that can affect its health and productivity. Here are some of the most common diseases to watch out for and how to prevent or treat them:
- Powdery Mildew:
- Symptoms: Powdery mildew appears as a white, powdery coating on the leaves, stems, and undersides of Swiss chard plants.
- Prevention and Treatment: To prevent powdery mildew, provide adequate air circulation by spacing plants properly and avoiding overcrowding. Water plants at the base to keep foliage dry, and remove and destroy infected leaves promptly. Applying fungicides labeled for powdery mildew can also help control the disease.
- Downy Mildew:
- Symptoms: Downy mildew causes yellow or brown spots on the upper surface of Swiss chard leaves, with fuzzy, grayish growth on the undersides.
- Prevention and Treatment: Prevent downy mildew by avoiding overhead watering and providing good air circulation. Remove and destroy infected plant debris, and consider applying fungicides labeled for downy mildew if necessary.
- Leaf Spot:
- Symptoms: Leaf spot diseases cause dark, irregular spots or lesions on Swiss chard leaves, which may eventually lead to leaf yellowing and defoliation.
- Prevention and Treatment: Practice crop rotation to prevent the buildup of pathogens in the soil, and avoid overhead watering to reduce leaf wetness. Remove and destroy infected leaves, and apply fungicides labeled for leaf spot diseases as needed.
- Root Rot:
- Symptoms: Root rot pathogens infect the roots of Swiss chard plants, causing wilting, yellowing, and stunted growth.
- Prevention and Treatment: Prevent root rot by ensuring proper drainage and avoiding overwatering. Plant Swiss chard in well-drained soil, and avoid planting in areas prone to waterlogging. If root rot occurs, remove affected plants and improve soil drainage.
- Fusarium Wilt:
- Symptoms: Fusarium wilt causes wilting, yellowing, and stunting of Swiss chard plants, often starting with lower leaves and progressing upward.
- Prevention and Treatment: Plant resistant varieties of Swiss chard when available, and avoid planting in soil where fusarium wilt has been a problem in the past. Practice good sanitation by removing and destroying infected plants, and consider applying fungicides labeled for fusarium wilt control.
Pests Management with Swiss Chard
Swiss chard, like many garden vegetables, can attract a variety of pests. I prefer to implement natural and organic pest management methods in my garden. You can read my post Organic Pest Management to learn more. Here are some common pests that may target Swiss chard and natural ways to control them:
- Aphids: Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on the sap of Swiss chard leaves, causing them to curl, yellow, or distort. Blast aphids off Swiss chard leaves with a strong stream of water from the hose. Introduce natural predators like ladybugs, lacewings, or parasitic wasps to keep aphid populations in check. You can also spray plants with insecticidal soap or neem oil as a deterrent.
- Flea Beetles: Flea beetles are tiny, jumping insects that chew small holes in Swiss chard leaves, giving them a "shot-hole" appearance. Cover Swiss chard plants with floating row covers or lightweight fabric to physically exclude flea beetles. Plant companion plants like radishes or nasturtiums, which may help repel flea beetles. Apply diatomaceous earth or kaolin clay around plants as a natural barrier.
- Cabbage Worms/Caterpillars: Cabbage worms, the larvae of cabbage white butterflies, and other caterpillars can chew holes in Swiss chard leaves, causing damage to the foliage. Handpick caterpillars from Swiss chard plants and drop them into a bucket of soapy water to drown. Introduce natural predators like birds or parasitic wasps to help control caterpillar populations. Dust plants with food-grade Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to kill caterpillars without harming beneficial insects. The damage in the photo above is mostly caused by caterpillars.
- Slugs and Snails: Slugs and snails feed on Swiss chard leaves, leaving behind ragged edges and slime trails. Place beer traps around Swiss chard plants to attract and drown slugs and snails. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth or crushed eggshells around plants to create a barrier that deters slugs and snails. Handpick slugs and snails in the early morning or evening when they are most active.
- Leaf Miners: Leaf miners are tiny larvae that tunnel inside Swiss chard leaves, leaving winding trails or "mines" behind. Prune and destroy infested leaves to remove leaf miner larvae from Swiss chard plants. Introduce natural enemies like parasitic wasps or predatory beetles to help control leaf miner populations. Apply sticky traps near Swiss chard plants to capture adult leaf miner flies before they lay eggs.
- Thrips: Thrips are tiny, slender insects that feed on Swiss chard leaves, causing silvering, stippling, or distortion of foliage. Introduce beneficial insects like predatory mites or minute pirate bugs to prey on thrips populations. Spray plants with insecticidal soap or neem oil to suffocate and repel thrips. Remove and destroy infested leaves to reduce thrips numbers on Swiss chard plants.
How to Clean Swiss Chard
- Before cooking with Swiss chard, it's essential to give it a good wash to remove any dirt or debris.
- Fill a large bowl with cold water and gently swish the leaves around to loosen any dirt. Then, transfer the leaves (and the stems are edible, too!) to a colander and rinse them under cold running water.
- Shake off any excess water before using the Swiss chard in your favorite recipes.
Best Tips for How to Store Swiss Chard
- 1. Separate the stems and leaves: Before storing Swiss chard, separate the stems from the leaves.
- Wrap the stems in damp paper towels: To keep Swiss chard stems crisp and hydrated, wrap them in damp paper towels. Place the wrapped stems in a plastic bag or airtight container to prevent moisture loss.
- Store the leaves in a breathable container: Swiss chard leaves are best stored in a breathable container, such as a perforated plastic bag or a vegetable crisper drawer in the refrigerator. Avoid sealing the leaves in an airtight container, as this can cause them to wilt.
- Remove excess moisture: Before storing Swiss chard leaves, gently pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel to remove any excess moisture. Excess moisture can cause the leaves to wilt prematurely.
- Store in the refrigerator: Swiss chard should be stored in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness. Keep the stems and leaves in the vegetable crisper drawer, where the temperature and humidity levels are optimal for preserving freshness.
- Use within a week: Swiss chard is best enjoyed fresh, so try to use it within a week of purchase or harvest for the best flavor and texture. The stems may last slightly longer than the leaves, so prioritize using the leaves first.
- Revive wilted leaves: If Swiss chard leaves start to wilt, revive them by soaking them in a bowl of ice water for a few minutes. This will help crisp them up and restore their texture.
How to Freeze Swiss Chard
If you find yourself with an abundance of Swiss chard, don't let it go to waste! Freezing is a simple way to preserve this leafy green for later use. Start by blanching the leaves in boiling water for 2 minutes, then immediately transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, drain the leaves thoroughly and pack them into airtight freezer bags or containers. Frozen Swiss chard will keep for up to 12 months in the freezer.
Frequently Asked Questions
While Swiss chard is technically a biennial plant, it's typically grown as an annual in most gardens. You can prolong its harvest by regularly harvesting the outer leaves and allowing the inner leaves to continue growing, thus allowing the entire plant to continue it's growth.
Wondering when to harvest your Swiss chard for optimal flavor and tenderness? You can start picking the outer leaves once they reach about 6 to 8 inches in length. New leaves will be more tender than leaves from a mature plants. Harvesting regularly encourages new growth and prolongs the plant's lifespan. Aim to harvest Swiss chard in the morning when the leaves are at their freshest.
When it comes time to harvest your Swiss chard, the best way is to use a sharp pair of garden shears or scissors to cut the outer leaves from the base of the plant. Be sure to leave the inner leaves intact to continue growing. Young leaves and small leaves are more tender. I like to cut individual leaves, one at a time, rather than harvesting the whole plant. Avoid tearing the leaves, as this can damage the plant and make it more susceptible to disease.
Short on garden space? No problem! Swiss chard is perfectly suited for container gardening. Choose a large pot with drainage holes and fill it with well-draining potting mix. Plant the seeds or seedlings according to the same spacing guidelines as in the garden. Place the container in a sunny location and keep the soil consistently moist. You'll be harvesting fresh Swiss chard from your patio or balcony in no time!
A spinach beet, also known as perpetual spinach, is a leafy green vegetable that resembles Swiss chard but has characteristics similar to spinach. It belongs to the same species as Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris) but is cultivated for its tender leaves rather than its stems.
Spinach beets have dark green, arrow-shaped leaves with a similar flavor and texture to spinach, hence the name. However, unlike true spinach, which tends to bolt in hot weather, spinach beets are more heat tolerant and can be harvested continuously throughout the growing season. They are often used interchangeably with spinach in recipes and are prized for their versatility and nutritional value.
Ready, Set, Grow! Your Swiss Chard Adventure Awaits!
And there you have it, folks—a complete guide to growing Swiss chard from seed to harvest. With its vibrant colors, delicious flavor, and impressive nutritional profile, Swiss chard is a must-have in any garden. Grab your gardening gloves, and get ready to enjoy the fruits (or in this case, the rainbow greens!) of your labor!
Happy gardening!
-Meg
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