How to grow Swiss chard at home
As part of Country Living’s new Plot to Plate series, we’ll hear from Raymond Blanc and the team at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, on how to grow, prune and harvest the season’s very best produce and ensure these ingredients shine in the kitchen and on the table.
Raymond tells us: "We will take one single ingredient and show you how to celebrate it, grow it, love it, look after it, cook it, and enjoy it with friends around the table.”
Last time we looked at pears, but next up in the series we're delving into the world of Swiss chard with John Driscoll – the head vegetable gardener at Le Manoir.
“Chard is probably the most important product that I grow. It gives you so much in yield," he tells Country Living. "In a smaller space, this is one of the most ideal products to grow."
Below John shares 7 tips for growing chard at home, from the best spot in the garden to how to deter pests...
You don’t need a large plot
John explains that chard is great for smaller gardens, as you get a huge amount – even in a small space.
He adds that chard is the gift that keeps on giving – as if you sow seeds in March and start harvesting in June, you’ll still have crops until first hard frost in autumn/winter.
It will flourish in lots of sunlight
Swiss chard is a vegetable that enjoys a lot of sunlight, so it’s important to consider this when you’re growing it at home.
“One of the best things to do is find a good location. You want pretty good sunlight and free-draining soil,” John adds. “This is a plant that ideally would be situated in the Mediterranean, so it likes quite dry conditions and needs a lot of full sun.”
You can sow it into pots in March
When it comes to growing chard, John explains there are two different methods to choose from. You can either start it off very early by sowing individual seeds into little modules around March or April under a cover (or indoors).
“Or, once the soil starts to warm up with a little bit of sun, you can sow it directly into the position where it's going to stay for the whole year,” he adds.
Consistent watering is key
John says there's just a few things you need to keep a bit of an eye on.
He says: "You don't want Swiss chard to get too wet because it can rot – but not too dry either. If it gets too warm and doesn't get enough water, it's prone to bolting (flowering too early). So it's vital to have consistent watering."
Keep the base of the plants neat
The other thing that's really important is some 'good husbandry' of the plant, explains John. He adds: “Chard is very susceptible to slug damage, so it's always a good idea to keep the bottoms of the plant nice and tidy and always remove any of the blades that are starting to either rot down or fall to the floor. Just try and keep it clean and tidy around the bottom.
“Another good thing with Swiss chard is that it's not a very hungry plant. And again, if you imagine the Mediterranean is quite sandy, there's not a huge amount of nutrition in the soil.” As a result, John recommends using a light layer of compost over the soil just before you start planting.
Use coffee grounds or eggshells for pest control
“Slugs are probably the main pest for Swiss chard,” continues John.
“As mentioned, good husbandry around the plants can help. So keep your patch clean and tidy, as this doesn't give the slugs and snails anything to actually harbour underneath.
“Also, you could try using mixtures of coffee grounds and egg shells. Or you can get these really interesting coir pellets – which are made from coconut skin – that you can lay around the plants, as these stick to their body and are a deterrent."
Free-draining soil is best
The ideal conditions for growing chard is free-draining soil, with a fairly neutral PH balance.
“In clay conditions, you might see a little bit of rot that could possibly develop if the ground stays too wet. So, if that is the case, dig the soil out a little bit, incorporate either a bit of sand or some type of topsoil, and then mix it all together just to create a better, free-draining soil.”
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