One of the benefits of Gardening in Zone 9 is that it offers year round gardening. And while many crops can not stand the heat of a Zone 9 Summer, one that can is Swiss Chard. Not only is it a healty and delicious crop, it is easy to grow! Here is how:
Swiss Chard as a Spring Crop
- Sow the seeds as soon as frost danger has passed
- Sow seeds in rows that are 20″ apart with the seeds being 6-8″ apart
- Keep soil moist, but not overly wet
- After germination give the soil a light feeding of balanced fertilizer
- Continue to fertilize lightly every other week
- Harvest the entire plant or single leaves at a time when needed
Swiss Chard as a Summer Crop
- Sow the seeds in trays indoors about a month before the winter/spring crops will be harvested
- Keep the planting medium moist and between 60-70 degrees
- A week before winter/spring crops are harvested start hardening off the swiss chard plants by placing them outside for a few hours each day in direct sunlight (each day add and additional hour)
- Once all winter/spring crops have been harvest replace them with the swiss chard
- When transplanted water in the swiss chard very well to help minimize shock to the plants
- One week after transplant lightly fertilize with a well balanced fertilizer
- Continue to fertilize lightly every other week
- Harvest the entire plant or single leaves at a time when needed
Swiss Chard Tips
- Swiss Chard makes a GREAT replacement crop for Spinach as they can be used in many of the same recipes. (Spinach is a cool weather crop, Chard is warm weather)
- Swiss Chard will grow great in any bed or row that beans or peas where harvested from. (Beans and Peas fix nitrogen into the soil and the Swiss Chard uses it to grow its leaves)
