Swiss Giallo Yellow Chard 140 Vegetable Seeds

Packet Content (approx.): 140 (2.7g)

A strong growing selection of yellow chard. The mid green slightly pointed leaves contrast sharply with bright yellow stems and veins. A good babyleaf item.

Chard is mainly sown in the spring for picking over the summer, although by protecting the crop with a cloche, leaves can be harvested during autumn and winter. Spinach can either be sown in spring for a summer crop, or in the autumn for leaves to pick over winter. Choose your varieties carefully ? some are ideal for spring sowing and others for autumn. To make life easier, pick easy growing varieties that are happy to be sown in either season.

These leafy crops are ideal to grow in rows on the allotment or vegetable patch, or due to their brightly coloured stems and glossy leaves, try striking varieties of chard at the front of a flower border. Alternatively, if you have a small garden they can be raised in large containers. Grow in a sunny or slightly shaded spot in moisture retentive soil.

Sowing Indoors: Sowing early. 

• Perpetual Spinach is normally sown directly into the soil, but for an early crop, a few seedlings can be started indoors. Transplant them outdoors when the night temperatures are at a minimun of -2°C (28°F). It will sprout fairly early, and will not be harmed by spring frosts.

Sowing Direct: Sow in Spring.

• Sow the seed thinly 5cm (2in) apart at a depth of 1cm (½in). If growing more than one row, space the rows about 38 to 45cm (15 to 18in) apart. The seedlings will appear in about 15 days and should be watered for the first month or so if conditions are dry.
• The plants will need thinning to about 15 to 25cm (6 to 10in) between plants. If left until around 15cm (6in) in height before thinning then the thinned plants can be treated like an early harvest and the young leaves will be extremely tender and tasty.

Aftercare

• When the seedlings are about 2cm tall thin out to leave the strongest seedlings plenty of space to grow - chard needs 30cm between plants, spinach beet 38cm and spinach 25cm.
• Keep the soil around plants free of weeds and water plants in the soil every two weeks, adding a high nitrogen liquid fertiliser to the mix.

Harvesting

• Spring sowings should be ready to be picked within 12 weeks.
• Take what you need by cutting leaves from the outside of the plant, taking care to avoid damage to the roots.
• By picking often, plenty of new leaves will be produced.

Suitable for the garden, allotments and containers.

Be prepared to water well and supplement feed with high-potash feed during season. Regular feeding is recommended.