Chard is actually native to warmer areas. But our vegetables also grow excellently. Especially if you prefer.
Year after year, most hobby gardeners think about what they could plant again in the garden. Lychees, pumpkins, cucumbers, peppers - the selection is really huge. It's not that easy to find something suitable. To give you a little help: Do you like spinach? Then just grow chard instead of spinach this year. It tastes just as delicious, is also very he althy and quite easy to grow.
» Recommended reading: Growing Swiss chard - That's how it's done.
Our tip: If you prefer the chard, you can start growing outdoors earlier. So find an empty spot in the greenhouse or on the window sill and prep the chard.
When can chard be sown?
You can easily pull the chard seeds forward from March. If you want to wait until April, you can also sow the plants in the bed and also protect them from the cold with fleece or foil.
What do you have to consider when moving forward?
The chard seeds need a slightly moist and warm climate to germinate. It is therefore advisable to cultivate chard in a mini greenhouse for the window sill or in a special nursery for the greenhouse. Depending on the humidity, you can also cover this breeding station with foil.
»Reading tip: Prefer vegetables on the windowsill - That's how it's done.
The plants definitely need enough light. Otherwise the chard leaves will not form as well and you will only get narrow, thin stalks. In addition, high-quality potting soil is very important. You can spend a few euros more here.
Important: don't forget to prick out
After the first seedlings have formed small leaves, they must be pricked out. To do this, carefully lift the plants with a pricking stick and transfer them to a larger pot without damaging the roots. Carefully press down roots and soil and water. Then store the small chard plants in a warm and bright place.
When do you go outside?
From the end of April you can buy the chard in theplant out garden. You should know that Swiss chard is a plant that prefers sunlight. The plants can also stand in semi-shade. It is only important that they find their place in a nutrient-rich soil. Then all you have to do is protect the plants from cold nights with fleece and water them regularly.