Swiss Chard: The Green That Doesn’t Bolt
Swiss chard is a heat-tolerant, cold-tolerant leafy green that produces for months. It doesn’t bolt in summer like spinach or lettuce.
If you want one green that produces year-round, grow chard.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Days to sprout | 7-14 |
| Days to harvest | 50-60 |
| Sun | 4-6 hours |
| Spacing | 12 inches |
| Cold tolerance | Down to 15°F |
| Heat tolerance | Up to 90°F |
Why Grow It
- Doesn’t bolt. Produces all season.
- Heat + cold tolerant. Survives both.
- Cut-and-come-again. Harvest outer leaves for months.
- Colorful. Rainbow varieties have red, yellow, pink stems.
How It Fails
Failure 1: Leaf miners. Brown blotches on leaves. Remove affected leaves. Failure 2: Bitter leaves. Heat stress. Harvest in cool weather. Failure 3: Yellow leaves. Nitrogen deficiency.
Comparison
| Variety | Stem Color | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fordhook Giant | White | 50-60 | Classic |
| Rainbow | Mixed | 50-60 | Colorful |
| Ruby | Red | 50-60 | Mild |
| Golden | Yellow | 50-60 | Sweet |
Common Questions
How do I harvest chard? Cut outer leaves at base, leave the center.
Does it come back? Yes. Cut-and-come-again for months.
Can I eat the stems? Yes. Cook separately — they take longer than leaves.
Can I grow it in summer? Yes. It tolerates heat better than spinach.
How long does it last? Months. One of the longest-producing greens.
Can I grow it in containers? Yes. 12-inch pot.