Rainbow Swiss Chard

Rainbow Mix Swiss Chard is a close relative of beets, popular for its colorful mix of bright yellow, red, orange, pink, white-colored or striped stalks. The leafy green tops are often prepared separately from the brightly colored stalks, and both parts are versatile in culinary preparation. Use Rainbow Mix Swiss Chard in salads, stir-fries, soups, or sautes to add a delightful crunch and vibrant color to your dishes. The leaves can be cooked like spinach or kale, while the stems can be chopped and sauteed for a colorful side dish or pickled for a tangy treat. Harvest continuously as chard produces as much as three or more crops; since Chard is a biennial, the crop may return every other year. Tolerates slight frost.

Also Known As: Northern Lights Mix Swiss Chard, Mixed Colors Swiss Chard, Bright Lights Swiss Chard, Silverbeet, Chard, Leaf Beef, Seakale Beet, Roman Kale, Perpetual Spinach, Mangold, Spinach Beet.

Plant Name:	Swiss Chard, Rainbow Mix
Latin Name:	Beta vulgaris
Days to Germinate:	7-14
Days to Harvest:	55
Plant Height:	18 - 24 Inches
Spread:	12 - 18 Inches
Growth Habit:	Rosette
USDA Zones:	2-11
Lifespan:	Biennial
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 18 inches apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage.

Planting:

Plant swiss chard in the spring as soon as the soil can be worked, about 2-4 weeks before the last expected frost date (swiss chard germination is 50F-85F). For fall crops, direct sow seeds or transplant seedlings outdoors 4-6 weeks before the first average frost date. To plant, make holes 1/2 inch deep and spaced 4-8 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Wider spacing can result in larger plants. Plant 1-3 seeds per hole, planting 2-3 seeds if choosing to thin to the strongest plant. When thinning, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1/2 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	4-8 inches
Between-Row Spacing:	18-24 inches

Care During the Season:

Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2-3 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils.

Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.

Fertilizing: Once seedlings are established, 2-4 weeks after planting, you may optionally apply 2 tablespoons of a complete fertilizer around each hole, or 1-2 pounds per 100 square feet, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. Water plants after fertilizing.

Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.

Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Swiss chard can be harvested at any stage, but for optimal flavor and tenderness, it’s best to pick the leaves when they are young and vibrant, about 50 to 60 days after sowing. The leaves should be a deep green, and the stems will be crunchy yet tender. To harvest, use scissors or a sharp knife to cut the outer leaves from the base of the plant, leaving the inner, younger leaves to continue growing. You can harvest Swiss chard continuously, starting about 4 to 6 weeks after planting, and the plant will keep producing new leaves. For a single harvest, wait until the plant reaches full maturity, with leaves about 10-12 inches long, and then cut the entire plant at the base.