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Sow chard in the field
Swiss chard is a valuable leafy vegetable that is rich in protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals and can therefore be grown as an attractive alternative to spinach. There are two types of cut mangosteen and stalk or ribbed mangold. Both species will be sown directly from April onwards.
Time to sow
Swiss chard is a biennial plant. Sowing time is from April to June.
You can harvest leaves and stems in the first year. For wintering, the plant is protected with mulch or fleece.
Prepare the bed
For the cultivation of chard you should choose a sunny location. You'll be digging up compost on the ground in the autumn, so it will be sufficiently fortified with nutrients by spring. Before sowing you dig the soil thoroughly again.
Since the chard plants grow very abundantly, there should be enough space in the bed. Between the plants you should keep a minimum distance of 30 to 35 cm.
So sowing succeeds
After sowing
If several small plants have developed in one place, they must be isolated. The strongest young plant you can stand, the others get a new place. One of the chard plants could find a new location in a tall, broad planter, which should be sunny.
Up to the mangold harvest a supply with sufficient nutrients is important. This is done by mulching and fertilizing.
Tips & Tricks
You can make it easier for you to keep to the minimum distance on the chard: With small sticks you mark the bed, so that you can create a seed hole at the right distance.