Field guide
How to grow swiss chard: planting, care, and harvest guide
Swiss Chard typically reaches first harvest in 50–60 days. This guide covers when to plant by USDA zone, common pests, harvest cues, and companion plants where relevant.
Open plannerWhen to plant swiss chard by USDA zone group
- USDA Zones 1–4 — May to June
- USDA Zones 5–6 — April to May
- USDA Zones 7–8 — March to May
- USDA Zones 9–10 — February to April
- USDA Zones 11–13 — October to March
Companion plants
Good companions: beans, Cabbage, Onions
Avoid planting with: Sweet Corn, Potatoes
Harvest
When to pick
- Stalks are 8-12 inches tall
- Leaves are glossy and vibrantly colored
- Outer leaves are mature enough to snap cleanly
How: Cut outer stalks at the base with a knife. Leave inner leaves to keep growing. Plants produce for months with regular harvest.
Storage: Wrap in damp paper towel, refrigerate. Lasts about a week. Stems and leaves can be cooked separately.
Common pests and problems
Leaf Miners
Signs: White or tan winding trails within leaves
Control: Remove affected leaves immediately. Use row covers. Apply neem oil preventively.
Slugs
Signs: Ragged holes in leaves, slime trails
Control: Beer traps, copper barriers, diatomaceous earth. Water in the morning so soil dries by evening.
About this field guide
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