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Swiss Chard
Beta vulgaris var. cicla
Still time — sow latevegetable
Cool-season leafy green that tolerates more heat than spinach and shrugs off light frost. Grown for tender leaves and colorful midribs that can be harvested cut-and-come-again for months.
In Zone 7b, right now
Still time to plant — it should mature before frost
The usual direct sow window (Mid March – Late April) has closed, but with about 55 days to harvest there's still enough season left. Get it in now.
Edible?
Yes — vegetable
Small space?
Yes — fits a balcony
Sun
Full sun (6+ hrs)
Comes back yearly?
No — 2-year life cycle
Harvest in
55 days
Ways to plant it
Spring planting
Start seeds indoors
Past the ideal window — still time
Mid February – Early March
Start seeds in trays now; they only need a few weeks indoors before they go straight out into the warm soil.
Direct sow
Past the ideal window — still time
Mid March – Late April
Plant seeds straight into the ground (or a container) outdoors.
Transplant
Past the ideal window — still time
Mid March – Mid April
Buy a young plant from a nursery, or move one you started indoors, into the ground or a pot.
Fall planting
Direct sow
Late August
Late August – Early October
Plant seeds straight into the ground (or a container) outdoors.
Your weekly planting note
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