Growing Chard
Chard grows best in full sun or part shade and moist, well-drained soil. It languishes in clay and slow-draining soil. Plant chard in a raised bed filled with quality top soil if your soil drains slowly. A quality potting mix works well for chard in containers. Start chard from seed planted directly in the garden two to three weeks before the last frost is expected in spring. Sow seeds ½ to 1 inch deep and 2 to 6 inches apart in rows 18 to 24 inches apart. When plants are about 4 inches tall, thin to 6 to 12 inches between plants. For a continuous crop of young, tender leaves, sow seeds every month during the growing season. Chard can also be planted from transplants purchased at your local garden center. Delay putting transplants in the garden until after the last expected frost date. Frost causes some varieties are adversely affected by frost and will prematurely bolt or send up seed stalks. Begin harvesting chard leaves and stems as soon as they suit your purposes. The seedlings removed during thinning make excellent salad greens. Harvest leaves and stems by cutting them off an inch or two above the soil. Harvest one or two leaves from each plant to promote a cut-and-come-again harvest through the growing season. Leaves become tough as they age, so cut plants back to between 3 and 5 inches tall to encourage tender new growth.
