Chard

Chard has become a favorite leafy green for many Sonoma County gardeners for its adaptability to both cool and warm weather, making it an easy year-round crop.

Surprising qualities

Care is the same as for beets, a close relative with a different root structure.
Summer heat and winter frosts are easily tolerated.
Nutritious stems and leaves are edible cooked or raw, similar to beet tops.
Chard comes in several colors: red, green, yellow, and orange.
Colorful crops make an attractive addition to ornamental gardens.
Chard is often called Swiss chard although it is native to the Mediterranean region.

Planting

Amend soil with compost or other well-decomposed organic matter to add fertility, hold moisture, and provide fast drainage—techniques that facilitate steady, rapid growth for the best-tasting greens.
Mix in a balanced fertilizer such as 5-10-10, following directions on the label if you opt for a purchased product.
Plant chard in rows 12-15 in. wide to allow for plants to spread.
Scatter seeds 1-2 in. apart. Thin seedings to 6-10 in. Use thinnings for tender greens.
Make 2 plantings, one in early spring, another in late summer if you prefer. Fall-sown seeds may result in shorter plants that survive over winter.
Work additional organic matter into the top 4-6 in. of soil throughout the year to promote moisture retention. Side dress with a balanced fertilizer if production slows and you want to harvest more leaves.

Harvesting

Harvest after 50-60 days or when plants reach at least 6 in. high.
Cut the entire plant to the ground or break off leaves at the base close to the stem. Leaving a stub may cause the stem to rot.
Expect fresh growth to resume after leaves are picked.
Harvest regularly; old leaves become stringy and tough.
Harvest only a few feet of a row at a time to allow for regrowth and ensure a long harvest.
Watch for a seed stalk to grow the 2nd year. Chard is a biennial, treated as an annual for 12 months or more of leafy greens.

Additional Information

Sonoma County Master Gardener Vegetable Planting Summary.
https://sonomamg.ucanr.edu/Food_Gardening_with_Less_Water/
http://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/chard/index.html
http://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/chard/cultural-tips/

February 2022