Swiss chard
Amaranthaceae · Direct sow · compact garden planning guide
| Bed spacing | 12 × 12 in (304.8 × 304.8 mm) |
|---|---|
| Minimum sun used | 5 hours per day |
| Root depth used | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Container volume used | 10 L |
| Spring preparation | -7 to 7 days from your last frost |
| Maturity estimate | 40–60 days from sowing |
Square bed spacing, root-space thresholds, relative spring offsets and seed quantities are selected planning parameters, not universal cultivar rules. Maturity ranges are planning estimates; follow your packet or nursery label.
Before planting
Plant when soil is workable and not waterlogged; follow packet temperature guidance.
Establish
Thin multi-seed clusters to the selected target plants after true leaves develop.
Tend and harvest
Remove damaged outer leaves and check the base without burying the crown. Cut mature outer leaves at the base while leaving the growing center.
Plans using this crop
4×8 beginner greens
Three leafy crops with different heat tolerances and harvest habits.
4×8 two-crop simple bed
Two large blocks for a gardener who wants fewer crop types and no trellis.
4×8 weekend maintenance
One sowing batch per crop and a weekly review for simpler organization.
4×8 six-hour sun starter
A measured six-hour location with warm-season planting conditions shown explicitly.
3×6 mixed beginner bed
A three-foot-wide bed with salad leaves, roots and repeat-cut chard.
References
- UMD Extension: Growing Swiss chard
Large chard plants need 8–12 inch plant distance. We select 12 inches for leaves and stems.
- UMD Extension: Growing vegetables in containers and salad tables
Sun exposure, drainage, growing media and crop-specific minimum volumes; our thresholds are conservative planning settings.
- UMN Extension: Planting the vegetable garden
Cool and warm season establishment; weather and soil readiness matter. Minnesota month dates are not used as global dates.
- UMN Extension: Planting for fall harvest
Maturity is a cultivar-dependent estimate; our extra 14-day fall buffer is an explicit planning assumption.
Updated 2026-10-04. We have not field-tested the plan in your climate.