RAINBOW SWISS CHARD

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Pretty Chil

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Full Sunlight

Keep Soil Moist

Biennial

Not Pet Safe

PLANTING SEEDS

Create a seed hole in the soil (about 1/2"). Take 2-3 Rainbow Swiss chard seeds and sprinkle them into the seed hole.

Lightly cover the seed hole with soil and water the soil until evenly moist.

Set your seed pot in the sun and keep the soil moist until you see sprouts. Then follow the care guide below.

Rainbow Swiss chard seeds germinate within 7-14 days.

USDA Hardiness Zone
Rainbow Swiss chard grows as a biennial in zones 6 to 11. In zones below 6, treat it as an annual. This is a cool season crop. Plant in early spring after your last frost. For zones 9 to 11, start planting in late fall when temperatures start to drop.

A USDA hardiness zone map shows you the average annual extreme minimum temperature in your area. This helps you know which plants can survive there.

View Zone Map

FULL SUNLIGHT

More sun = a brighter rainbow!

Sunlight helps boost leaf production and keeps those rainbow stems vibrant. In super hot climates, or on days of harsher sun, consider placing the chard plant somewhere it can get afternoon shade. A little break from the sun can help prevent wilted and scorched leaves.

6-8 HOURS OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT DAILY

Rainbow Swiss chard will appear leggy and pale in color when it is not getting enough sunlight. If it is looking weak with its leaves looking smaller than usual, try moving it to a brighter spot.

Cartoon sun character holding a flower and a potted plant with a cloud in the background.

FIND YOUR LIGHT

Take a moment to note which direction the windows face in your space. Then tap around the room below to see how the light hits throughout the day.

NORTH-FACING WINDOW

⊹ No direct sunlight ⊹
⊹ Avoids harsh afternoon rays ⊹
⊹ Perfect for shade-tolerant plants ⊹

⚠︎ Can be too dim for most houseplants. If this is your only light source, consider using a grow light for your sun-loving plants!

SOUTH-FACING WINDOW

⊹ Highest amount of sunlight ⊹
⊹ Consistent light all day ⊹
⊹ Perfect for "full sun" plants ⊹

✔ BEST PICK FOR RAINBOW SWISS CHARD

EAST FACING WINDOW

⊹ Soft morning sunlight ⊹
⊹ Avoids harsh afternoon rays ⊹
⊹ Perfect for low to indirect light plants ⊹

⚠︎ May not be bright enough for "full sun" plants

WEST-FACING WINDOW

⊹ Brightest in the afternoon ⊹
⊹ Warm, golden hour glow ⊹
⊹ Great for indirect-sun lovers ⊹

⚠︎ Can overheat sensitive plants

KEEP SOIL MOIST

Leafy vegetables like chard need a steady water supply to grow. Water deeply and regularly, making sure your pot has good drainage. Chard roots that sit in soggy soil for too long can lead to root rot.

MODERATE HUMIDITY

As long as Rainbow Swiss chard is not in extremely dry or humid environments, it will be happy.

In very humid climates, make sure it has good airflow and not crowded among other plants to prevent fungal issues.

In drier climates, adding a bit of mulch around its base can help it retain more moisture in its soil.

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SOIL

Rainbow Swiss chard digs a rich well draining soil.

The best store-bought option is a all purpose potting mix that is enriched with compost. These mixes are typically already formulated for leafy veggies like Swiss chard.

Or you can a scoop of compost to the soil on your own.

Looks like rich, dark brown crumbly soil with an earthy smell. This is a natural fertilizer made from decomposed organic matter that provides nutrients to the soil.

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HARVESTING

ALWAYS USE CLEAN SCISSORS OR HANDS

You can basically start harvesting Swiss chard whenever the leaves are big enough to eat! Leaves can start to taste bitter once they get too mature, so aim to harvest before they are larger than 8 inches.

Swiss chard is also famously enjoyed as a microgreen. Once your seeds sprout and grow for about two weeks, you can snip them away and eat them immediately.

HARVESTING OUTER LEAVES

New growth will emerge from the center of the plant. Always try to harvest older, larger leaves around the exterior. Snip or cut them at the base and your Rainbow Swiss chard will continue to produce new leaves all season long!

HARVEST IN THE MORNING

Rainbow Swiss chard will taste best when harvested in the cool morning hours. The leaves will be crisp and at peak flavor.

★ HEIRLOOM SEEDS ★

Rainbow Swiss chard is an heirloom variety. This means you can save seeds from your plant and grow it again next season.

How to save seeds:
Allow your chard to bolt. Once the seed heads dry out, cut the stalks and collect the seeds. Store them in a dry place. Plant them again next season!

COMMON ISSUES

WILTING LEAVES

A possible sign of heat stress. Extremely hot days can cause chard leaves to wilt.

If possible, provide afternoon shade during hot spells, and keep the soil consistently moist.

If sunlight and soil moisture is not an issue but the chard is still wilting, you may be dealing with root rot. Allow the soil to dry slightly. If issue persists, remove the plant from the soil and snip away rotten roots. Plant in new, fresh soil.

GROWING TALL

If you notice your Rainbow Swiss chard is suddenly shooting upwards, and the leaves are tasting more bitter, then your plant has started to bolt.

Prevent this by planting in cooler weather, providing afternoon shade on hotter days, and harvest frequently. Once bolted, the leaves are not very tasty.

Once you are at this stage, the best thing to do is to let the lettuce bolt until it flowers. Allow those flowers to go to seed, then collect those seeds to replant more lettuce!

CERCOSPORA LEAF SPOT

*Cannot be cured, only prevented.*

Cercospora leaf spot is an aggressive fungal disease that is specifically more common in chard, beet and spinach vanities. Once it has appeared on your plant, there is very little you can do to stop the spread.

To avoid cercospora, always water at the base of the plant to avoid overhead moisture. Space plants properly for good airflow and remove affected leaves immediately.

SICKLY PATCHES

Discolored patches on the leaves is likely a sign of downy or powdery mildew. These are common fungal issues for chard if left in humid or crowded conditions.

Make sure to water at the base of the plant. This helps avoid water getting on the leaves. Watering in the morning also helps leaves dry throughout the day. Keep good airflow around the plant and avoid crowding.

Remove affected leaves.