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Amaranth
Swiss Chard
Swiss chard grows in fertile, well-drained soil around pH 6.0-7.0 and tolerates summer heat better than spinach. Mix in compost and side-dress lightly with nitrogen after repeated harvests to keep new leaves growing.
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Even moisture; about 1 in/week including rain
- Spacing
- 8 in
- First harvest
- 50–60 days
Tips
- Sow seed clusters 1/2 inch deep and thin seedlings to 6-12 inches apart.
- Water deeply for about 1 inch weekly and mulch to keep the root zone evenly moist.
- Check leaves for leafminer tunnels and remove infested foliage promptly.
- Cut damaged or diseased leaves at the base and leave space for airflow to limit leaf spot.
- Harvest outer leaves when 6-10 inches long, preserving the central growing point for repeated picking.
Good companions
Onion, Bush Bean, Lettuce, Radish
Keep apart from
Pole Bean, Sweet Corn