This Crop is WAY Better than Spinach (And Easier To Grow)

Summary

In this video, the host shares expert tips on growing Swiss chard, a low-maintenance, visually stunning, and nutritious vegetable. Swiss chard is praised for its vibrant stem colors and reliability, thriving in both mild and extreme climates. The video walks viewers through the process of sowing seeds, selecting the right varieties, and planting in different conditions like containers or raised beds. The host also discusses pest control, harvesting techniques, and how to enjoy chard in various recipes. With practical advice on soil preparation, watering, and harvesting, the video makes growing chard easy and rewarding.

Takeaways

• 😀 Swiss chard is a low-maintenance, easy-to-grow leafy crop that offers vibrant, colorful stems and leaves, making it an attractive vegetable to grow.
• 😀 Chard seeds are clusters capable of producing up to three seedlings each, making it efficient to grow.
• 😀 Chard grows well in mild, temperate climates, and sowings can be done from spring to late summer, with different sowing times allowing for continuous harvests.
• 😀 Starting chard indoors in pots or plug trays can help overlap crops and give an earlier start, especially in cooler climates.
• 😀 Chard is versatile in various climates—hot summers or cold winters—and different sowing times can help extend the growing season.
• 😀 Chard comes in various stem colors (red, yellow, pink, and white) and varieties, with 'Bright Lights' or 'Rainbow Chard' being popular for colorful displays.
• 😀 Chard plants are prolific and require minimal space, with five or six plants often being enough for regular harvests, but growing more is recommended for versatility in cooking.
• 😀 When planting, spacing plants about 10 inches apart is ideal, and it's important to avoid cold nights that can cause premature bolting.
• 😀 Watering and proper soil moisture are key to healthy chard growth, and mulching helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• 😀 Chard is resilient, suffering from few pests and diseases, but leaf miners can sometimes affect the leaves, which can be controlled by removing affected leaves and attracting natural predators like tiny wasps.
• 😀 Chard can be harvested as early as a month after planting, with outer leaves being picked first to encourage continuous growth. It’s a nutritious leafy superfood that is often expensive in stores, making it a great crop to grow at home.

Q & A

What makes Swiss chard a great vegetable to grow?

Swiss chard is easy to grow, requires little maintenance, and provides abundant, nutritious leaves for a long period. Its colorful stems and leaves make it a visually appealing addition to any garden.

Why is Swiss chard considered low maintenance?

Swiss chard is considered low maintenance because it thrives in various climates, grows quickly, and is resistant to most pests and diseases. It also requires minimal care once planted.

When is the best time to sow Swiss chard seeds?

Swiss chard seeds can be sown from spring to the end of summer, depending on the climate. Early spring sowings will produce crops throughout summer, while later sowings provide crops that grow through autumn and winter.

How does the climate affect Swiss chard growth?

Swiss chard is adaptable to both mild and more extreme climates. In hot climates, it's best to sow seeds in early spring or late summer to avoid high temperatures. In cold climates, sow early in spring for a growing season that lasts until fall.

What is the advantage of starting Swiss chard seeds in pots or trays?

Starting Swiss chard seeds in pots or trays allows for an earlier start to the growing season, provides control over growing conditions, and enables overlapping crops. It also protects the seedlings from early cold weather.

What types of Swiss chard are available and how do they differ?

Swiss chard comes in various varieties with different stem colors, including red, yellow, pink, and white. Popular varieties include 'Bright Lights' or 'Rainbow Chard' for a mix of colors, and 'Fordhook Giant' for its large, abundant leaves and cold tolerance.

How should Swiss chard seedlings be thinned after germination?

Once Swiss chard seedlings emerge, thin them out to leave one to three seedlings in each plug, depending on how large you want the plants to grow. Fewer plants per plug lead to larger leaves, while clusters produce more but smaller leaves.

What is the best way to plant Swiss chard in the garden?

Swiss chard should be planted in well-drained soil, ideally about 25 cm (10 inches) apart. It thrives in partially shaded spots, and raised beds can help with drainage, especially in wet conditions.

How can you improve soil for planting Swiss chard?

To improve soil for Swiss chard, add compost, well-rotted manure, or chicken manure pellets. These additions provide essential nutrients like nitrogen, which supports leafy growth.

What pests and diseases affect Swiss chard, and how can they be controlled?

Swiss chard may be affected by slugs early in the season and leaf miners later in spring. Slugs can be managed by removing them manually, while leaf miners can be controlled by picking off affected leaves and crushing the larvae.

How should Swiss chard be harvested for optimal flavor and growth?

To harvest Swiss chard, pick the outermost leaves, leaving the inner leaves to continue growing. Harvesting this way encourages faster growth and avoids damaging the base of the plant. The best texture is achieved from medium-sized leaves, typically no longer than a foot.