🥕 Swiss Chard

Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris (Cicla Group)

vegetables leafy green (chenopod)

☀️ Sun

Full sun (6–8 hours); tolerates partial shade, especially in warm climates; afternoon shade extends harvest into summer

💧 Water

Medium–high; 1–1.5 inches per week consistently; deep taproot makes established chard somewhat drought-tolerant, but regular water produces tender leaves

🗺️ Zones

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

🪴 Soil Type

Rich, well-drained loam with high organic matter; chard is a heavy feeder needing consistent fertility — amend with compost before planting

🧪 Soil pH

6.0–7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)

💧 Drainage

Well-drained but moisture-retentive; chard tolerates damp conditions better than most greens but does not like standing water

📏 Spacing

8–12 inches apart; rows 18–24 inches; thin to 12–18 inches for full-sized plants

📅 Days to Maturity

30-60 days (from seed); baby leaves at 25-30 days, full size at 50-60 days

🍴 Edible Parts

🍽️ ["Leaves"🍽️ "Stems/stalks (cooked like celery or asparagus \u2014 colorful stems contain betalains)"🍽️ "Baby leaves (salad use)"]

🤝 Companions (7)

🤝 Allium family (onions, garlic, leeks)

Repels aphids and flea beetles from chard; complementary root depths — alliums are shallow, chard has deeper taproot

🤝 Bean (bush)

Beans fix nitrogen to feed chard's heavy leaf production; different root zones avoid competition

🤝 Cabbage family (brassicas)

Different nutrient demands — brassicas prefer nitrogen, chard needs potassium/magnesium; companionable spacing

🤝 Nasturtium

Trap crop for aphids; attracts pollinators; low-growing ground cover retains soil moisture

🤝 Marigold (French)

Repels nematodes; deters general pest insects; attracts beneficial predators

🤝 Radish

Quick crop harvested before chard matures; breaks soil surface; different root depths

🤝 Lettuce

Lettuce grows in chard's partial shade; both prefer cool weather and consistent moisture

⚠️ Keep Apart (3)

⚠️ Corn

Corn is a heavy nitrogen feeder competing with chard; corn's tall growth may shade chard excessively causing spindly growth

⚠️ Potato

Potatoes compete for potassium and magnesium — both are high-demand crops; root disturbance during potato harvest can damage chard

⚠️ Fennel

Allelopathic — inhibits growth of most garden vegetables including chard

💊 Medicinal Uses

["Exceptionally high in vitamin K (one cup = 700%+ daily value) \u2014 essential for blood clotting and bone health", "Excellent source of vitamin A (beta-carotene), vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium", "Contains betalains (same pigments as beets) \u2014 powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds", "High in lutein and zeaxanthin for eye health", "Good source of fiber and iron; traditionally used as a blood tonic"]

📝 Notes

Swiss chard is a biennial grown as an annual. Extremely productive — cut-and-come-again harvesting (cut outer leaves, leave inner 2–3 leaves). Much more heat-tolerant than spinach (can produce through summer in many zones with adequate water). Colorful stem varieties ('Bright Lights', 'Rainbow') add ornamental value. Betalains in colored stems are the same antioxidant pigments found in beets. Will overwinter in Zones 8+ for early spring harvest. Seed 'capsules' contain 2–3 seeds — thin accordingly.