Growing Swiss Chard

Swiss Chard is one of those vegetables that tastes best when eaten straight from the garden. It seems to lose taste as it sits in a grocery store cooler. Swiss chard is very easy to cultivate and needs only 50-degree soil to germinate. The plants are quite cold-hardy and grow well into December here in Ohio. The cooler the weather, the better the taste! Swiss Chard does exceptionally well in containers, but bear in mind that you will need one at least 12 inches in diameter. Larger pots can easily accommodate 3 to 5 plants. Before sowing your seeds it is best to soak in warm water for 10 to 20 minutes. Sow seeds 1/2-inch deep, a few inches apart, directly in the garden or container. They prefer a rich, well-drained soil. Matures in 60 days, baby leaf in 30 days. Swiss Chard has excellent re-growth properties and can be continuously harvested for many months.