Swiss Chard Growing Guide🥗: Year-Round Planting and Care in Self-Watering Planters

Swiss Chard Growing Guide🥗: Year-Round Planting and Care in Self-Watering Planters

Introduction

Swiss chard is a hardy, colorful, and versatile green that thrives in a wide range of conditions. Whether you’re growing in a LifeSpace Garden or building your own SIP system using GardenWells inserts, consistent bottom-up watering produces strong, healthy leaves for months at a time.


When to Plant Swiss Chard

  • Spring: Direct seed outdoors in April through May once soil warms slightly. For early planting tips, check the April Gardening Guide.

  • Summer Successions: Sow every 3–4 weeks until mid-July to keep a constant supply. See the June Gardening Guide for summer strategies.

  • Fall Planting: Plant again in August for a strong late-season harvest. For protection tips, visit the September Gardening Guide.


Square Foot Gardening Spacing

  • Spacing: 4 plants per square foot (~6” apart)

  • Depth: Sow seeds ½” deep

  • Thinning: Keep the strongest seedlings per hole

  • Companions: Excellent neighbors include carrots, onions, and basil.


How to Plant Swiss Chard

Direct Seeding

  • Sow 2–3 seeds per hole and thin to one healthy plant after germination.

  • Keep soil surface evenly moist until seedlings emerge (~5–7 days).

Transplanting

  • Start seeds indoors in March or April for early crops.

  • Harden seedlings off for 5–7 days before planting outside.

  • Top-water for the first 7–10 days until roots reach the SIP moisture zone.


Watering Your Swiss Chard

Swiss chard thrives with consistent hydration:

  • Check your WaterStem: when the Hummingbird rises, your reservoir’s full; when it drops, it’s time to refill.

  • Before establishment: Lightly top-water daily until roots develop.

  • After establishment: Refill reservoirs every 1–2 weeks depending on temperature.

  • Mulch generously to keep soil cool and retain moisture.

  • For spring moisture tips, see the April Gardening Guide.


Harvesting Swiss Chard

  • Baby Leaves: Harvest in 30 days for tender greens.

  • Full-Size Stalks: Ready in 55–60 days.

  • Cut-and-Come-Again Method: Snip outer leaves regularly and allow the center to keep producing.

  • For fall season extension tips, visit the October Gardening Guide.


Common Issues & Fixes

Issue Likely Cause Solution
Leaf Miners Small tunnels in leaves Remove affected leaves and plant nearby basil to deter pests
Bolting Hot weather stress Plant in partial shade, succession sow, and mulch for cooler roots
Yellowing Leaves Nutrient deficiency Feed with compost or balanced organic fertilizer

Companion Plants for Swiss Chard

Best companions (with cross-links):

  • Carrots → Loosen soil and grow well alongside Swiss chard in SIP setups.

  • Onions & Chives → Help deter pests; plant them along the edges.

  • Lettuce → Provides quick early harvests and works as a low-growing companion.

  • Basil → Natural pest deterrent and flavor enhancer.

  • Beans → Fix nitrogen into the soil and boost growth.

Avoid planting with:

  • Other heavy feeders like corn and potatoes nearby; they compete for nutrients.

  • Large brassicas (broccoli, cabbage) in tight SIP setups, which may shade out chard.

Layout Tip:

  • Plant 4 Swiss chard per sq ft.

  • Interplant lettuce plugs between stalks for early shading.

  • Add onions along edges and basil in corners for pest control.


Product Tips