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garden
Swiss chard
Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla
Edible
Edible Partsleaves, stems
Overview
A stunning dual-purpose vegetable that provides both beautiful ornamental color and nutritious, mild-flavored greens. Swiss chard's stems come in electric rainbow colors — ruby red, golden yellow, hot pink, and sunset orange — making it as ornamental as any flower. It is remarkably heat-tolerant for a leafy green, producing through summer when lettuce and spinach have long bolted.
Growing Conditions
LightFull Sun
MoistureModerate
Hardiness Zones3 — 11
Height0.5m
Spread0.3m
Growth HabitForb/herb
LifespanBiennial
Pollinator Valuelow
Companion Planting & Soil
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Soil pH6 — 7
Soil TypeRich, moist, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold (1-2) | Direct Sow | May — Jun | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost |
| Cold (1-2) | Harvest | Jun — Sep | Cut outer leaves; plant produces all season |
| Cool (3-4) | Direct Sow | Apr — May | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost |
| Cool (3-4) | Harvest | May — Oct | Cut-and-come-again harvest |
| Moderate (5-7) | Direct Sow | Mar — Apr | Direct sow in early spring |
| Moderate (5-7) | Direct Sow | Aug — Sep | Fall sowing for winter harvest |
| Moderate (5-7) | Harvest | Apr — Nov | Harvest outer leaves continuously |
| Warm (8-9) | Direct Sow | Feb — Mar | Spring sowing |
| Warm (8-9) | Direct Sow | Sep — Oct | Fall sowing |
| Warm (8-9) | Harvest | Mar — Jun | Harvest before bolting |
| Hot (10+) | Direct Sow | Oct — Dec | Cool-season crop; sow fall through winter |
| Hot (10+) | Harvest | Nov — Apr (wraps) | Winter through spring harvest |
Uses
Culinary
- Leaves sautéed with garlic and olive oil
- Stems braised separately — they take longer to cook than leaves
- Young leaves raw in salads
Medicinal
- Extremely high in vitamin K
- Rich in vitamins A and C, magnesium, and iron
- Betalain pigments in colored stems have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
Other Uses
- Ornamental edible for decorative kitchen gardens
- Heat-tolerant green that produces through summer
Safety Notes
Contains oxalates — moderate intake if prone to kidney stones. Otherwise safe. Both leaves and stems are edible cooked or raw.
