Cultivation

Swiss chard in open field

Beta vulgaris Leaf Beet Group

The cultivation of Swiss chard in open field conditions is based on its high cold resistance, ability to withstand multiple leaf harvests, and sensitivity to soil pH levels.

In the reference 31 varieties crop Swiss chard, where this is mentioned in the description.

Swiss chard is a cold-resistant crop: seeds germinate at +4…+6 °C, and seedlings tolerate short-term frosts down to -2 °C, making it suitable for early spring and winter sowing. Due to the nature of the seeds, which are clusters of 3–5 units, the crops require mandatory thinning to ensure a feeding area ranging from 6–8 cm for leafy varieties to 20 cm for stalk varieties.

During cultivation, it is important to consider the crop's sensitivity to soil acidity, which requires mandatory liming to maintain produce quality. The harvesting technique involves multiple cuttings of the outer leaves at a height of 3 cm from the soil; at the same time, the rosette must not be allowed to overgrow, as this causes the leaves to become coarse and reduces their palatability.

General information about the subject — on the page Open field.

Sources8

Varieties of Swiss chard mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.