Knowing about harvesting Swiss Chard is very important as the vegetable is a great source of Vitamin C. Let’s look at all you need to know about Swiss Chard and how the plant can be harvested.
1. What is Swiss Chard?
This is one of the stress-free vegetables to grow in your garden. Its scientific name is known to be Beta vulgaris subspcicla. It contains a whole lot of minerals and vitamins that are healthy as well as good health benefits.
There are some parts of the world where Swiss Chard is called Silver Beet. The leaves and stems of this Swiss chard are known to be cultivated for various things.
2. Health Benefits of Swiss Chard
Swiss Chard has a variety of health benefits. Here are some of them:
2.1. Antioxidant Properties
You should be aware that Swiss Chard comprises antioxidant properties like flavonoids, beta-carotene, and polyphenols. These compounds are known to help lower the risk of chronic diseases and also fight oxidative stress. This happens because the antioxidants weaken the harmful free radicals in the body.
2.2. Bone Health
Swiss Chard contains a high content of Vitamin K, which is vital to healthy bones. Vitamin K helps to regulate calcium and bone mineralization as it impacts strong and healthy bones. If you want to improve the health of your bones, it is advisable to introduce Swiss Chard to your diet.
2.3. Rich in Nutrients
Just like most vegetables, Swiss Chard contains a variety of nutrients that are essential to the body. The plant is an excellent source of vitamins K, C, and A. Vitamin C is known to enhance the immune system and skin health. Vitamin A is very important for eye health, while Vitamin K is vital for blood coagulation and bone health. The combination of these nutrients makes Swiss chard a top-tier vegetable.
2.4. Sugar Regulation
The fiber content in Swiss Chard is very helpful to the body because it helps to make the blood sugar level stable. This occurs when the fiber reduces the rate at which glucose is absorbed, thereby preventing the increase of blood sugar levels.
2.5. Heart Health
The antioxidant content can improve cardiovascular health in Swiss Chard. They also contain dietary nitrates that can help to soothe the blood vessels, thereby leading to a better flow of blood. Swiss Chard also contains fiber, which is beneficial to heart health as it helps to regulate cholesterol levels.
2.6. Digestive Health
Fiber is known to aid and promote healthy digestion. Swiss Chard contains fiber, which helps to improve bowel movements. If you are having any form of digestion problem or you suffer from constipation, you should try adding Swiss chard to your diet. They also help to enhance nourishment for gut bacteria.
2.7. Eye Health
Since Swiss Chard contains beta-carotene, the vegetable is important for eye health. Beta-carotene can also be transformed into Vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is known to aid healthy vision and also help to decrease the risk of contracting age-related diseases.
3. When to Plant Swiss Chard
Swiss Chard is a kind of plant that can survive under partial sun but would grow rapidly when the sun is full. You should plant Swiss Chard in an area with well-draining soil where the soil pH is slightly acidic to neutral.
The best time for you to plant Swiss Chard is during early spring. The planting should take place two weeks before the expected frost date. Since it is a cool seasonal crop, it would germinate rapidly in an area where the temperature is between 55°F to 75°F.
You can also plant Swiss Chard during fall when it’s 40 days before the fall frost date.
4. How to Plant Swiss Chard
Here are the steps involved in planting Swiss Chard:
4.1. Site Selection
The perfect location to plant Swiss Chard is a sunny area. Therefore, it is advisable to select an area where your plant can get the appropriate amount of sunlight daily. You can now go ahead to prepare the soil by getting rid of rocks, weeds, and debris.
4.2. Soil Enrichment
This plant will grow well when the soil is very fertile and well-drained, so the addition of organic matter like manure is encouraged. You can also add compost and aged leaf mulch to enhance the structure and nutrient content of the soil. The organic matter should be spread evenly on the soil for a better result.
4.3. Seed Selection
This process involves choosing the seeds to plant. It is crucial to select your seeds from a reputable source and make sure that they are of high quality. There are different types of Swiss Chard seeds available, like the standard green chard and the colorful rainbow. It is important to follow the instructions written on the package to know the right planting time and growth process of the seeds.
4.4. Spacing
You should plant Swiss Chard seeds about an inch deep in the soil. Just like most vegetables, Swiss Chard requires space to germinate properly. You should space them at least 7 to 9 inches apart in each row.
4.5. Sowing the Seeds
Get a hoe and make rows or furrows where you will drop the seeds. Keep them using the recommended spacing, and make sure that the seeds are gently covered with the soil.
4.6. Watering
Once you’re done planting, the next step is to water the soil soiling. This should be carried out carefully so that you do not end up disturbing the seeds. You should use a watering can to ensure the soil is consistently moist.
4.7. Fertilization
A well-fertilized soil will help to enhance and promote the growth of your chard. You can introduce the application of slow-release fertilizers and make sure that you follow the instructions of the manufacturer. Do not over-fertilize the soil so that you can avoid excess foliage growth of the plant.
5. Harvesting Swiss Chard
It is not a difficult task to harvest Swiss Chard. Follow these steps:
5.1. Be Patient
Although you can harvest your Swiss Chard when they have grown to different levels, it is ideal to be patient till the plant has grown to a reasonable size.
The perfect time to harvest Swiss Chard is when the leaves are about 6 inches long or more. If you harvest too early, you will get smaller leaves. If you harvest too late, you will get bitter and tough leaves. It is, however, advisable to wait for the perfect time before harvesting your Swiss Chard.
5.2. Prepare your Tools
You will need to put together the tools needed for harvesting your Swiss Chard. These tools include the following:
- Pruning shears
- Sharp garden scissors
- Basket or container
5.3. Choose the Leaves to Harvest
To harvest Swiss Chard, you will have to pluck out the outer leaves and let the inner leaves keep growing. Make sure to choose the biggest outer leaves for harvesting. This is because they are mature enough for harvest. The smaller leaves should be left to develop.
5.4. Harvesting Techniques
There are some techniques you can employ when harvesting Swiss Chard. You will have to grab the leaf in the area where it connects to the stem. Then, you make a clean cut with your scissors. This should be done about 2 inches elevated than the proportion of the soil.
This is one way to prevent the soil from damaging. It also helps to enhance new growth. You can choose to harvest Swiss Chard every week. However, this depends on the rate at which the plant grows of the rate at which you consume the vegetable.
5.5. Consider Regrowth
Swiss card is a plant known to grow back after being harvested. This has typically made it a crop that you can cut and go back to harvest. Bear in mind that if you keep harvesting the bigger outer leaves, the smaller inner leaves will develop rapidly. This practice can help to extend the period of harvest to a longer time.
6. How to Preserve Swiss Chard
There are a number of ways you can preserve Swiss Chard to increase the shelf life of the vegetable. They include the following:
6.1. Freezing Method
Before freezing your Swiss Chard, you should make sure that they are without dirt or debris by rinsing it with cold water. The use of cold water when rinsing will prevent the vegetable from wilting. The next step after washing is to cut the Swiss chard into tiny pieces. Then you have to boil a pot of water where you will place your chard.
Make sure that the pot is big and spacious enough to contain excess water that will be used to drown the chopped chard. It is advisable not to add salt or any form of seasoning to the pot of boiling water. Allow the Swiss chard to simmer in the hot water for a few minutes. Make sure that you observe and keep watch of the heat as you cover the pot.
Once you are satisfied with the result, you can transfer the Swiss Chard into a bowl of ice water. It is very important that the water is cold.
You can now leave your Swiss Chard to settle in the ice water for about three minutes. Then you can drain the water from the vegetable. This can be done by compressing the excess water from the leaves using your hands.
You can decide to mould them into a baseball when you are certain that all of the excess water is gone. Place your chard balls on a baking sheet and seal with a plastic bag. You can then put it in the freezer for about two hours. When the chard is frozen, you can transfer it to a plastic bag and leave it in the freezer. Swiss chard can stay frozen for a whole year without getting spoilt.
6.2. Canning Method
Follow these steps to preserve your Swiss Chard using the canning method:
6.2.1. Prepare your Canning Jars
It is important that you clean your canning jars and supplies by washing them with hot, soapy water. You should also ensure that the lids of your canning supplies are not damaged. A damaged lid will not function properly. If you use a damaged lid for your cans or jar, your Swiss Chard will go bad.
6.2.2. Trim the Chard
Canning your Swiss Chard will require the extra stress of trimming the chard and removing the stems. This is done so that the chard would fit in perfectly in the can. You should also get rid of the bad leaves.
6.2.3. Steam the Chard
You can use a cheesecloth to steam your Swiss Chard. You just need to put the chard into a cheesecloth and steam till it wilts. This can take up to three minutes or more, especially if you are steaming in batches.
6.2.4. Transfer the Steamed Chard
Get your jar or can and transfer the steamed chard into it. Make sure that you do not pack them tightly in the jar. It is important to leave out some space between the lid and the jar.
6.2.5. Add Boiling Water
After you have packed the chard into the can, you can now add boiling water to it. This should be done with the objective of making the chard fully submerged in the boiling water. You can now place the lid on the jar and secure it tightly.
6.2.6. Place in a Pressure Canner
In this step, carefully place your jars of chard into your pressure cooker and leave for about 90 minutes. After the stipulated time, you can now turn off the pressure cooker and take out the jar.
6.2.7. Remove the Jar from the Canner
Gently remove the jar from the canner using a tong or any other heat-resistant equipment. Allow the jar to cool off before storing it in a cool, dry place. It is best to store canned food under a temperature of 45°F to 65°F.
7. Pests and Diseases that Affect Swiss Chard
There are different kinds of pests and diseases that can affect Swiss Chard:
7.1. Flea Beetles
These insects are tiny and can cause a lot of damage to Swiss Chard. They are known to vote holes in leaves and can also transmit diseases and weaken the affected plant. To be able to control flea beetles, you can make use of physical barriers or row covers.
7.2. Slugs and Snails
These are the types of pests that prey on leaves by making irregular holes in them. They are usually very active in wet areas. You can decrease their population by the use of traps and keep the planting area clean.
7.3. Leaf Miners
They are known to create brown or white colored lines on the affected leaves. You can get rid of the affected leaves and introduce predators like parasitic wasps in the garden.
7.4. Fusarium Wilt
This fungus is responsible for the wilting and stunted growth of the affected plant. If you maintain a well-draining soil and also practice crop rotation, you’ll be able to prevent this fungus from destroying your crops.
7.5. Root Knot Nematodes
They are tiny worms that can be seen with the use of a microscope. They destroy the roots of plants, making them develop stunted growth. To prevent their impact on your soil, you can try improving the health of the soil.
7.6. Downy Mildew
When the upper side of a leaf turns yellow, accompanied by a white powdery growth, the plant has been affected by downy mildew. This fungal disease can be avoided if there is adequate air circulation in the garden.
8. How to Store Swiss Chard
You can store Swiss Chard in the following ways:
1. It is crucial that you dispose of any wilted or blemished leaves before storing them.
2. Using a serviette or a damp cloth, gently wrap up the stalks of the Swiss Chard.
3. You can now keep the wrapped chard in a perforated bag and store it in a refrigerator. This will help to maintain the freshness and flavor of the vegetable.
4. Store Swiss Chard in an area with a temperature between 35°F to 45°F.
9. How to Cook Swiss Chard
You should follow these steps to cook Swiss Chard:
9.1. Slice the Chard
The first step is to cut the Swiss Chard with the stems into tiny pieces. You should place the vegetable on a chopping board, using a sharp knife, for the desired result.
9.2. Cook the Stems
Get a pot, add a bit of olive oil, and heat over a minimal temperature. Then, add the chopped chard stems into the oil and cook till it softens. You can now add the leaves, followed by garlic, pepper, salt, or any seasoning to taste.
9.3. Serve
You can now serve your Swiss Chard as a side dish. It can be taken with pasta, soup, and even stuffed in tacos.
10. Final Thoughts
You should know that Swiss Chard is a type of plant that regrows after harvesting. It is important that during harvest, you avoid damaging the growing tip of the plant so that it will reproduce new leaves.
Last Updated on by Arnab
