How tall does swiss chard grow

Make sure plants have a consistent supply of moisture throughout the growing season, especially when the weather turns warm. Flea Beetles. These small, black beetles, which jump like fleas when disturbed, chew numerous small holes in leaves. Cover beds with row cover fabric as soon as seeds are planted to keep beetles away. Leaf Miners. Adult flies lay eggs in leaves that hatch out into larvae that feed within the leaf tissue, creating visible winding tunnels.

The best way to avoid damage is to cover beds with row cover fabric as soon as they are seeded to prevent egg-laying. Leaf Spot. Cercospora leaf spot is a fungal disease that can infect chard, as well as beets and spinach, causing brown or gray spots with reddish margins. To help reduce problems with this disease, rotate the location of susceptible crops in the garden on a 2-year cycle; clean up plant debris well at the end of the season to get rid of infected residues; make sure to thin plants to ensure good air circulation; and keep leaves dry by using drip irrigation or watering plants overhead in early morning so leaves dry quickly.

Spread a thick layer of mulch, such as garden compost, around the plants when the soil is warm and damp, to help hold in moisture and suppress weeds. In October, cover plants for overwintering with cloches or protect the crown with straw, or similar material, then cover with fleece. Worse in mild, humid weather, the felty mildew makes the leaves unappetising.

Well grown plants in gardens are not usually badly affected except in wet weather. Seedlings suddenly collapse. Sow thinly and when conditions are warm. You can help to prevent this disease by making sure there is plenty of space around seedlings and plants to improve air circulation, watering the soil at the base of the plants, and by choosing mildew resistant varieties.

A usually grey, fuzzy fungal growth which can begin as pale or discoloured patches. Grey mould botrytis is a common disease especially in damp or humid conditions. Spores enter plants via damaged tissue, wounds or open flowers. Mould can also damage ripening fruit such as strawberries. Black resting spores survive over winter.

Remove damaged plant parts before they can become infected. Cut out infected areas into healthy tissue and clear up infected debris. In greenhouses, reduce humidity by ventilating and avoid overcrowding of young plants and seedlings. A cold frame usually ensures fresh chard well into December in southern Wisconsin. Chard is best fresh, either raw or cooked.

Chard can be stored unwashed for one to two weeks in the refrigerator. It is best fresh but can also be frozen, dried or canned. Young chard leaves have a sweet taste like spinach, so chard is often used like spinach. Use the small leaves in salads and larger, older leaves cooked.

The older leaves are a good substitute for cooked spinach in various recipes. Ask Your Gardening Question. We teach, learn, lead and serve, connecting people with the University of Wisconsin, and engaging with them in transforming lives and communities. Connect with your County Extension Office ». Find an Extension employee in our staff directory ». Facebook Twitter. Feedback, questions or accessibility issues: info extension.

Skip to content Search for:. The petioles can be white, yellow, gold, orange, pink, red or striped. This variety is excellent as an ornamental. The plants grow inches tall. The leaves are dark green and crumpled. Chard grows best in a soil pH of 6. Chard planting time. Chard grows best in cool temperatures; high temperatures will slow down leaf production.

In mild-winter climates, chard can be grown through the winter. Planting and spacing chard. Thin successful seedlings from 8 to 12 inches cm apart. Space rows 18 to 24 inches cm apart. Chard grows from seed cluster several seeds to a cluster, similar to beets. Clusters are likely to produce several seedlings so thin to the strongest seedling once plants are 3 inches 7cm tall. Cut the weaker seedlings off at soil level with small scissors.

Chard can grow crowded, but leaves will be smaller. Crowded plants may tend to bolt and go to seed more quickly. Container growing chard. Chard will grow in an 8-inch 20cm pot. Plant 2 or 3 plants in a container. In larger containers, set chard in wide rows on 8-inch 20cm centers.