Swiss Chard Seeds

Swiss chard can be considered a close cousin to spinach, as they share many attributes in the garden and on the table. Both are cool weather annuals, are incredibly nutritious, and can be substituted for each other in culinary dishes. Swiss chard, however, is better able to withstand the heat of summer, and its bright ribs add a splash of unexpected color. Grow this green in a pot on your patio or deck, where you can enjoy its beauty and cut it for your kitchen needs as well!

• 9 Swiss chard seed varieties
• Drought tolerant
• A delicious cool-season vegetable
• Very similar to spinach and great as microgreens

Despite its name, Swiss chard has its origins in the Mediterranean, where it was grown by the ancient Greeks. Other names for this nutrient-packed plant include silver beet, spinach beet, and seakale beet. Like most other leafy greens, it grows best in the cooler weather of spring and fall. Unlike most others, however, chard will continue growing through summer, if somewhat less vigorously. Its ribs offer a pleasant crunch in stir fry and pasta dishes, and the green leaves are less bitter than those of some similar plants. It can also be eaten raw, or added to smoothies for a boost of nutrition.

Plant chard two to three weeks before the last frost date in spring, in well-drained soil. Continue succession planting every 10 days through early spring. In the fall, plant your final crop at least a month before the first frost date. Soak seeds in water before planting for faster germination, and regularly water young seedlings and established plants. Harvest leaves when they're six to eight inches long. Start with the outer edges, leaving younger leaves to grow for later harvests.

Chard makes an excellent companion plant for a number of edibles and more than a few flowers. Varieties like Eden Brothers' Rainbow of Lights Swiss Chard Seeds, Ruby Red Swiss Chard Seeds, and Pink Lipstick Swiss Chard Seeds can easily be planted in ornamental gardens as well as vegetable beds, and are a great choice for those looking to grow some of their own food without detracting from landscaping. If you're low on space, chard grows well in containers.

In a traditional vegetable garden, plants like beans and tomatoes are choice companions for chard. Try Eden Brothers' Cherokee Wax Bean Seeds or Tongue of Fire Bean Seeds for another bright pop of edible color that will be just as fun to eat as it is to enjoy in the garden. Celery, another fall plant, grows well with chard, and cooler temperatures mean better flavor for both of them. Marigolds will keep most insects from your chard. Herbs and chard don't often make good partners, but you'll find an exception in mint, which attracts beneficial pollinators and repels certain pests (though it is recommended you grow your mint in a container, where it can't spread too quickly).

To learn more about planting, growing, and caring for Swiss chard seed, see our Swiss Chard Seeds Planting Guide.