[yummy]

I thought swiss chard was supposed to be easy to grow (according to GYO magazine anyway). Mine has only grown about an inch in a month and many of the seeds didn't germinate at all. I don't know what I am doing wrong. Any ideas?

Thanks

[paintedlady]

perhaps it was a bad batch of seeds?
 

The Swiss chard and White chard I sowed in May/June are easily 6-8inches high (probably could be bigger if I had actually planted them in the soil before now.  At the moment they are "temporarily" in pots until I get a bed clear!)

There was nothing special - just bog standard potting compost.

[Annie]

Don`t worry if the growth starts off slowly and if not all seeds germinated it will save thinning them as they will grow quite big if you let them.

[corndolly]

Did you sow them into the plot or pots first, this year they will develop better inside , but they will catch up when the weather warms whereever they were sown. Transplant asap and they will grow , young tender chard is the best  and if you take off the outside shoots the plant will continue to develop.

[Jeanieblue]

I've got a couple of chard plants in amongst the beetroot - didn't plant it, must have self sown or been in with the beetroot seed. Ah well, look forward to some tender greens when they get bigger.

[yummy]

Did you sow them into the plot or pots first, this year they will develop better inside , but they will catch up when the weather warms whereever they were sown. Transplant asap and they will grow , young tender chard is the best  and if you take off the outside shoots the plant will continue to develop.

They were sowm directly, must be about 6 weeks ago. Maybe I could start some 'plan B' chard in pots now cos you can over winter it can't you?

[Annie]

They`ll keep going until spring and if you have space you can get another lot started before you root them out.Mine boulted this April `cos of the hot weather.