Swiss Chard Care

Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla

A leafy vegetable tolerant of heat and cold that yields for months as its outer leaves are picked. Varieties with colored stems are also used as ornamental plants.

Hardy · -8 °C / 18 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

March

Watering: In the cool season, rainfall is often enough; during a long dry spell, water every 10-15 days just enough to keep the soil moist.
General care: Soak the seeds in water overnight and sow directly 2 cm deep; several seedlings emerge from each seed, so thin them to leave 25-30 cm between plants.

April

Watering: If there is no rain, water 1-2 times a week; the soil should not stay constantly wet.
Fertilizing: Mix in compost before sowing; once harvest begins, apply nitrogen fertilizer every 4-6 weeks.
Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
General care: Soak the seeds in water overnight and sow directly 2 cm deep; several seedlings emerge from each seed, so thin them to leave 25-30 cm between plants.
Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.

May

Watering: If there is no rain, water 1-2 times a week; the soil should not stay constantly wet.
Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
General care: Harvest: Snap off the outer leaves at the base of the stalk; leave the young inner leaves and the plant will keep producing.
Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.

June

Watering: Water deeply at the base 2-3 times a week, in the early morning; do not water again until the soil surface has dried 2-3 cm down.
Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
General care: Harvest: Snap off the outer leaves at the base of the stalk; leave the young inner leaves and the plant will keep producing.
Pests & diseases: If you see round spots with pale centers and red margins on the leaves (leaf spot), pick off the spotted leaves and remove them.

July

Watering: Water deeply at the base 2-3 times a week, in the early morning; do not water again until the soil surface has dried 2-3 cm down.
Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
General care: Harvest: Snap off the outer leaves at the base of the stalk; leave the young inner leaves and the plant will keep producing.
Pests & diseases: If you see round spots with pale centers and red margins on the leaves (leaf spot), pick off the spotted leaves and remove them.

August

Watering: Water deeply at the base 2-3 times a week, in the early morning; do not water again until the soil surface has dried 2-3 cm down.
Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
General care: Soak the seeds in water overnight and sow directly 2 cm deep; several seedlings emerge from each seed, so thin them to leave 25-30 cm between plants.
General care: Harvest: Snap off the outer leaves at the base of the stalk; leave the young inner leaves and the plant will keep producing.
Pests & diseases: If you see round spots with pale centers and red margins on the leaves (leaf spot), pick off the spotted leaves and remove them.

September

Watering: If there is no rain, water 1-2 times a week; the soil should not stay constantly wet.
Fertilizing: Mix in compost before sowing; once harvest begins, apply nitrogen fertilizer every 4-6 weeks.
General care: Soak the seeds in water overnight and sow directly 2 cm deep; several seedlings emerge from each seed, so thin them to leave 25-30 cm between plants.
General care: Harvest: Snap off the outer leaves at the base of the stalk; leave the young inner leaves and the plant will keep producing.

October

Watering: If there is no rain, water 1-2 times a week; the soil should not stay constantly wet.
General care: Harvest: Snap off the outer leaves at the base of the stalk; leave the young inner leaves and the plant will keep producing.

November

Watering: In the cool season, rainfall is often enough; during a long dry spell, water every 10-15 days just enough to keep the soil moist.
General care: Harvest: Snap off the outer leaves at the base of the stalk; leave the young inner leaves and the plant will keep producing.

December

Watering: In the cool season, rainfall is often enough; during a long dry spell, water every 10-15 days just enough to keep the soil moist.
General care: Harvest: Snap off the outer leaves at the base of the stalk; leave the young inner leaves and the plant will keep producing.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

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