How to Grow Swiss Chard

Soil and Site
You can grow Swiss Chard in most parts of the garden as long as it is not in deep shade. The grow well in full sun but will probably do best if they are shaded in summer during the hottest part of the day.

Neither are Swiss Chard choosy about the soil conditions. They require a good draining soil but that's their only key requirement soil-wise. If the soil is reasonably rich in nutrients then so much the better

If you are only growing one variety of Swiss Chard then we thoroughly recommend the variety Bright Lights.

The leaves can be harvested young for use in salads or left to grow larger for cooking. The main attraction are the stems which grow in colours from dark red to orange. The seeds are available from Marshalls by clicking here.

  Sow the seeds directly into the ground in mid-May . They can be sown in pots under cover for an earlier crop but the advantage gained is not much. Sow the seed thinly (5cm / 2in apart) at a depth of 1cm (�in). If growing more than one row, space the rows about 38cm (15in) apart. When the seedlings emerge thin them out at first to 15cm /6in. A week or two later thin the seedlings again to 30cm / 12in apart. Water them well.