Chard

Variety:

Firework

Approx 100 seeds

Sowing:

Seeds can be sown approx 2.5cm deep either in seed trays (2-3 per cell) or directly outside in the ground. 

Sowing can be done indoors from around March onwards or outdoors from April right through to late summer. 

Plants should be sown approx 25cm apart to allow for growth.

Harvesting:

Chard is ready to harvest from around 2 months onwards right up to 4 months. The baby leaves will be ready after approx 2 months or you can let the leaves grow bigger for a bigger yield but regular harvesting encourages growth. 

Preferably pick the power leaves first with chard being a "cut and come again" vegetable so you can continue to harvest again and again. 

Information:

Chard prefers a sunny site but will grow in shade and can handle a light frost. It is a hardy vegetable that can withstand most conditions and is easy to grow.

Chard prefers rich, fertile and moist conditions so plenty of compost and water regularly. 

Chard prefers an acidic soil to neutral, usually between 6 - 6.8.

Chard requires nitrogen for its leafy greens so coffee grounds are a great fertilizer is applied correctly.

Nutritional Information:

Chard contains a source of iron, copper, potassium and Vitamin E. It is low in calories and high in anti-oxidants and is high in fibre.

Fun Fact:

Despite often being called "Swiss chard", chard does not actually originate from Switzerland but instead appears to have come from the Mediterranean.  It is a close relative of beetroot and sugar beet.