When is the best time to plant Swiss chard?

Swiss chard is a common vegetable, also called thick-skinned vegetable or Swiss chard. It can be eaten raw or stir-fried, and it can also be used as feed , so it has many uses. So when is it suitable to plant Swiss chard? Let’s take a look below.

1. When is the best time to plant Swiss chard?

The planting time of Swiss chard is generally from August to September. The sowing time varies in different regions. It is generally sown in spring in the north and in autumn in the south. Swiss chard prefers a warm and humid climate, and the suitable growth temperature is 15~25℃. It grows fast when the soil temperature and air temperature are high.

2. Methods of planting Swiss chard

1. Land preparation and fertilization

Swiss chard is highly adaptable and can grow in various types of soil, but well-drained, loose loam is preferred. The suitable soil pH range is between 6.0 and 7.5, and slightly acidic to neutral soil is more conducive to its growth. Therefore, you should choose well-drained, loose and fertile soil to grow Swiss chard. Apply enough base fertilizer before planting, rake and level the land, apply 3 cubic meters of decomposed organic fertilizer per mu and 60-80 grams of compound fertilizer as base fertilizer.

2. Seed treatment

The seeds of chard have difficulty absorbing water and have a layer of shell. They are generally dried in the sun for 1 to 2 days. The seeds must be processed before sowing to make them crack. Hit the seed shell with a wooden stick, then soak the chard seeds in warm water of about 50 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes, and then soak them in cold water for 24 hours. Rinse once a day, take them out and drain the water, and place them in an environment of 15 to 20 degrees for germination. When 60% of the seeds are white, they can be sown.

3. Planting method

There are two planting methods: direct seeding and seedling transplanting. Direct sowing can be done on-demand or in rows, with a row spacing of about 30 cm. Dig holes or trenches for sowing, and cover the seeds with 2 to 3 cm of soil after sowing. Seedlings can be transplanted by broadcasting, and the density should be controlled at one seedling per 3 to 5 cm square. It can be done when the seedlings are 15-20cm tall. When transplanting, pull up the seedlings with their roots and transplant them to the field with a spacing of about 30cm between rows and plants.

4. Field management

(1) Thinning and transplanting: Thin out the seedlings once when the Swiss chard has grown 2 to 3 true leaves, and transplant when it has 4 to 6 leaves. Leave seedlings at a spacing of 20 to 30 cm in the direct-seeding field and at 8 cm squares in the nursery field. Apply 15 to 20 kilograms of urea per mu. Later, when the plant has 8 to 10 leaves, you can harvest 3 to 5 leaves. After harvesting twice, apply fertilizer again with 15 kilograms of high-nitrogen compound fertilizer.

(2) Combine topdressing with watering, and till the soil once after watering to keep the soil moist at all times. Because Swiss chard likes moisture, it needs to be watered frequently during the growing season to maintain a certain level of soil humidity. If there is drought, you should water more often because the leaves are large and the evaporation is high. At the same time, timely drainage should be carried out during the rainy season to prevent waterlogging.

5. Diseases

Common diseases of Swiss chard include leaf spot and brown spot, which can be controlled with Bordeaux mixture or carbendazim. When pests are found, they should be controlled by using scientific pesticides.

6. Harvest

The leaves of Swiss chard can be peeled and used 30 to 40 days after planting. Leave 4 to 5 leaves on each plant for continued growth, and peel 3 to 5 leaves each time. The amount of leaves to be peeled off is determined according to the growth conditions and seasons. When the growth is fast in June and July, it can be harvested 4 to 5 times, producing more than 4,000 kg of fresh leaves per 667 m2.

Swiss chard is a multi-purpose vegetable that can be used as a vegetable, feed, or ornamental vegetable. It is also easy to cultivate, has a high yield, can be harvested multiple times by peeling its leaves, and has a long supply period.