Swiss Chard - Vegetable Seeds
Specifications
| Family |
Amaranthaceae |
| Native region |
Mediterranean region |
| Mature height |
40-60 cm |
| Growth rate |
Fast |
Care guide
| Sunlight |
Full sun to partial shade |
| Watering |
Regular; keep soil consistently moist |
| Soil / mix |
Fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter |
| Fertilizer |
Nitrogen-rich feed or compost for steady leaf growth |
| Difficulty |
Easy |
Uses
<p>Tender young leaves are used in salads, while mature leaves and colourful stalks are stir-fried, added to dal, sabzi, soups and saag much like spinach. The vivid stems also make the plant attractive enough for ornamental edible beds.</p>
Growing tips
<p>Sow seeds <strong>1.5-2 cm deep</strong>, spacing plants <strong>20-30 cm apart</strong>, either directly or in trays for transplanting. Germination takes <strong>7-14 days</strong>. Thin to the strongest seedlings; each seed cluster can produce several. Begin harvesting outer leaves about <strong>50-60 days</strong> from sowing, picking from the outside so the centre keeps producing for months.</p>