Used in salads and cooked like spinach, Swiss Chard is full of nutritious value. It contains 13 different polyphenol antioxidants including the cardio-protective flavonoid, kaempferol. It also contains an additional flavonoid called syringic acid which has had quite a large amount of current research done due to its properties that help regulate blood sugar. In addition to the antioxidants, Swiss Chard herb has vitamins E and K, along with magnesium, manganese and potassium.

Swiss Chard seeds can be started indoors 4 - 6 weeks prior to the last heavy frost. Or, directly sow the seeds in the garden in early spring with a few frosts still expected.

Swiss Chard plants like full sun and rich, well-draining soil.

• Start Swiss Chard seeds in starter flats
• Cover with 1/4 inch soil
• Keep the flats moist and warm
• Harden off the seedlings and transplant out once the plant has 3 - 4 true leaves
• Or, work the garden soil 8 inches in depth
• Sow the seeds every 2 inches, press the seeds gently in and cover 1/4 inch with soil
• Keep moist for germination
• Thin seedlings to 4 - 6 inches apart

• Swiss Chard plants need consistent irrigations to get established
• Water soluable fertilizer can be used every other week once the plant is 5 inches in height
• Harvest once the leaves are 8 - 10 inches long
• Cut the outer leaves first, leaving about 1 - 2 inches of plant
• Harvest until first frost in the fall