Swiss ChardBeta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris Cicla Group

Swiss Chard

Swiss Chard

1. Beta vulgaris var. cicla
2. Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla
3. Beta vulgaris var. flavescens

1. Chard
2. Silverbeet
3. Perpetual spinach
4. Beet spinach
5. Seakale beet

1. Leaf beet

1. Krautstiel

1. Swiss Chard
2. Rainbow Chard

1. NameMangold

   Languagede

   Shared with

   1. Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris Crassa Group

   Clarification

   Often confused with Mangelwurzel in historical or regional contexts.

1. Swiss Chard
2. Chard
3. Silverbeet

1. Tracheophyta
2. Angiospermae
3. Eudicotyledoneae
4. Caryophyllales

Amaranth family

1. Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris Conditiva Group
2. Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris Altissima Group
3. Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris Crassa Group

1. Leaves
2. Stalks

Swiss chard is a versatile powerhouse in the vegetable garden. Whether grown as colorful stalk chard or delicate leaf beet, it provides fresh greens from spring until late autumn. Its robustness against light frosts makes it an ideal candidate for year-round self-sufficiency.

1. Tasksowing

   Label

   Outdoor sowing

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 4
   2. 5
   3. 6

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Sowing depth approx. 2-3 cm.

1. Taskmaintenance

   Label

   Thinning

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 5
   2. 6

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Thin plants to a distance of 25-30 cm.

Sunny to partial shade

Not strictly required

Deep, humus-rich, loamy

Regularly, never let the soil dry out completely

Basic fertilization with compost before sowing; top-dress in summer if needed

Good companion for cabbage, beans, and onions. Do not plant after other beets or spinach.

1. Peas
2. Beans
3. Early potatoes

1. Lettuce
2. Radishes
3. Brassicas

Avoid planting after other Amaranthaceae like spinach or beetroot to prevent nematode infestation.

1. Name

   Nitrogen deficiency

   Symptoms

   Stunted growth, pale green to yellowish leaves.

2. Name

   Boron deficiency

   Symptoms

   Heart rot, cracked stalks.

1. Name

   Premature bolting

   Causes

   Cold stimulus in seedling stage or drought stress.

1. Leaf miners
2. Aphids
3. Nematodes

1. Leaf spot diseases
2. Mildews

1. Maintain crop rotation (4-year break)
2. Sufficient spacing for air circulation
3. Consistent water supply

Spots on leaves are usually fungal; galleries inside leaves indicate leaf miners.

1. Slugcercospora

   Severitymedium

   Conditions

   1. High humidity
   2. Temperatures above 20°C

   Affected parts

   1. Older leaves

   Prevention

   1. Avoid overhead watering
   2. Increase spacing

   Organic control

   1. Remove infected leaves immediately
   2. Horsetail extract for strengthening

1. Symptom

   White or brown tunnels in leaves

   Possible causes

   1. pegomya-hyoscyami

   First checks

   1. Check underside of leaves for egg clusters

In case of leaf discoloration, check nitrogen levels; for holes, look for pests.

1. Germination
2. Leaf development
3. Rosette formation
4. Overwintering (optional)
5. Bolting (in second year)
6. Flowering
7. Seed ripening

Swiss chard is biennial; the vegetative harvest phase occurs in the first year, while the generative phase occurs in the second.

June to August (in the second year)

Greenish to yellowish

Inconspicuous clustered flowers in long spikes

June to October

1. Individual leaf picking
2. Cutting the entire head (perpetual spinach type)

Regularly every 1-2 weeks as soon as leaves are sufficiently large.

1. Leaf size reaches approx. 15-20 cm (leaf beet)
2. Sturdy stalks and fully developed blades (stalk chard)

Store leaves in a cool place after harvest or process immediately as they wilt quickly.

In the refrigerator in a damp cloth

1. Freezing (after blanching)
2. Pickling

Short-term storage (fresh vegetable)

2 to 4 days in the refrigerator

1. Blanching and freezing
2. Fermenting
3. Drying the stalks

Cooked vegetable

Low; mainly fresh market and home gardening.

1. Separate stalks and leaves (Swiss chard)
2. Wash thoroughly to remove sand

1. Steaming
2. Gratin
3. Stir-fry
4. Filling for dumplings

1. Leaves
2. Stalks

1. Root (edible but woody)
2. Seeds

Contains oxalic acid and nitrates; people prone to kidney stones should consume in moderation.

Possible in small amounts (young leaves in salads), usually consumed cooked.

Seed ball (multiple seeds per fruit)

Wait until seed heads are brown and dry, then cut and allow to post-ripen.

Crosses easily with beetroot, sugar beet, and mangelwurzel.

1. Resistance to bolting in the first year
2. Stalk color and width
3. Leaf health

Swiss chard is an herbaceous biennial vegetable; woody structures or grafting are not part of standard cultivation.

Chard is usually harvested before flowering. If allowed to flower in its second year, it provides pollen for wind pollinators but is ecologically less significant than native wildflowers.

Sow chard in successions every 4 weeks to ensure tender young leaves throughout the summer.

Sow directly into the bed from April.

Last sowing for overwintering in August.