I thought swiss chard was supposed to be easy?

yummy · « **on:** July 26, 2007, 13:40 »

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 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 26, 2007, 14:12 »

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 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 26, 2007, 17:33 »

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 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 26, 2007, 20:42 »

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 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 26, 2007, 21:21 »

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 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 27, 2007, 15:51 »

Quote from: "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.

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 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 29, 2007, 22:17 »

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.

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