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Swiss Chard
Beta vulgaris var. cicla
Late Septembervegetable
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 9b, right now
Not yet — plant around late september
The direct sow window opens Late September – Late October. Sign up below and we'll remind you the week it's time.
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
Early to Mid January
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
Early February – Early March
Plant seeds straight into the ground (or a container) outdoors.
Transplant
Past the ideal window — still time
Early February – Early March
Buy a young plant from a nursery, or move one you started indoors, into the ground or a pot.
Fall planting
Direct sow
Late September
Late September – Late October
Plant seeds straight into the ground (or a container) outdoors.
Your weekly planting note
Every Friday morning: what's safe to plant in Zone 9b. Swiss Chard will be in there when its window opens. Unsubscribe in one tap.