As our crop calendar, it is the moment of the chard. This vegetable, already planted by the Greeks in the XNUMXth century BC, is from easy cultivationIt is practically free of pests or diseases and can be harvested throughout the year. However, its sowing period ends in October, as soon as the cold begins, to avoid being affected by frost. So it is time to plant chard if we want to enjoy its leaves in winter.
Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris) belongs to the same family as spinach and beets, the quenopodiaeas. It is a biennial plant that develops the leaves during the first year of cultivation and, in the second, the flowers. Contains Vitamins A, C and K. It is rich in minerals, especially in potassium, calcium and magnesium, which helps prevent osteoporosis. Its consumption contributes folic acid y Flavonoids to the body, which help prevent cancer. Due to its high content in fiber, has laxative and digestive properties. To enjoy all its benefits, it is recommended that the shortest possible time elapse from harvest to consumption.
Chard reaches a considerable size and an extensive root system, so you will need a lot of space: in flower pot, about 25 l. substrate; in cultivating table, a separation distance between seedlings of 40 to 60 cm. Dense plantings can also be done in order to harvest tender plants, although this is not usual.
When it grows, we can plant it by the leaves, cutting off the outer leaves and only the ones we need. Just one or two plants will be enough to supply our garden for several months.
They can be grown from seed or seedlingIf we decide to use seeds, we should choose the autumn-sown variety, which is more resistant to low temperatures. It's very easy to sow in yogurt cups with perforated bottoms, 5 mm deep. We'll use seed-producing soil, which is simply a low-fertilizer substrate to prevent burning the small roots. We'll plant several seeds, keeping only the one that develops best. If the others have sprouted, we'll pull them out to allow the selected one to grow strong. Once we have a small seedling with 2 or 3 leaves, we'll transplant it to the pot or growing table. Harvesting can begin in 50-70 days, depending on the variety.
Regarding the cultivation associations, it is compatible with lettuce, cabbage, onion and garlic. We will avoid other vegetables from the same family, such as beets and spinach. As its roots extend so much, the plant ends up taking up a lot of space, so it is preferable to leave it alone in a pot or, on the table, associate it with other shorter cycles such as lettuce or radish.
As for the pests or diseases, does not usually present any disease. Aphids can attack it, especially in spring, and in humid periods with cool temperatures, powdery mildew can infect the leaves. For more information on this topic, you can consult our article on chard diseases.
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If you are interested in growing chard in a small space, you will surely find our article on growing chard in a potThere you'll find valuable tips for achieving healthy growth of this vegetable.
Continuing with growing chard, one of the most important aspects is choosing the right substrate. It's recommended to use a light, well-drained substrate so the roots can develop freely.
Being a very versatile plant, it can also be seen as part of leafy vegetables, allowing for a variety of uses in our kitchen. Swiss chard is not only nutritious, but it can also be an excellent choice for those looking to incorporate more vegetables into their diet.
Remember that proper care and maintenance of your chard will allow you to enjoy its harvest for several months. Now that you know more about growing and caring for it, try it in your garden!
If you want to further diversify your garden, here is a link to our article on vegetables growing in potThis will allow you to learn more about other vegetables you can grow in a limited space and how to combine them to maximize the use of your garden.
Remember that growing chard will bring you several benefits, both for your health and for your kitchen. Its high nutrient content makes it an excellent choice for any healthy diet.
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