Swiss Chard Seeds 9g

Swiss chard is a handsome dual-purpose leafy green prized for its broad, glossy, deeply crinkled leaves and crisp, succulent stalks. The mild, earthy, slightly sweet flavour mellows when cooked, making it a versatile substitute for spinach in sautes, soups, and stuffed-leaf dishes, while the bold foliage and bright stalks also earn it a place as an ornamental edible in beds and borders.

Planting

Direct-sow in Egypt across two windows: an autumn/winter crop from mid-September to mid-November, and a spring crop in late March through April. Cover seed with about 1.3 cm of fine soil, or up to 2.5 cm in light sandy ground. Seed germinates over a soil temperature range of 5-38 C, ideally near 30 C, and emergence takes roughly 3-10 days. Sow about 5 cm apart in rows 30-45 cm apart, then thin to about 10 cm once plants reach 5 cm tall, allowing 20-30 cm for full-size plants. Chard is usually direct-seeded, though transplants can be started about 5-6 weeks before setting out.

Fertilizing

Swiss chard has a high nutrient demand. Work well-rotted manure or compost plus superphosphate into the soil before planting, then side-dress as the crop grows. Because chard is cut repeatedly, Egyptian practice applies nitrogen (ammonium sulfate) and potassium sulfate in split doses after each cut to replenish the plant between harvests.

Care

Give 6-8 hours of direct sun daily; it tolerates partial shade of 4-6 hours. Keep moisture uniform, watering deeply during dry spells and especially while seeds germinate. Watch for bolting, Cercospora leaf spot, leafminer, and root-knot nematodes, though chard is rarely troubled by pests here. Harvest from about 50-70 days using cut-and-come-again: snip outer leaves about 5 cm above the crown and the plant regrows for repeats, roughly every 3 weeks.