Chard

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Chard, or leaf beet (Latin Beta vulgaris) - a biennial plant of the Marevye family. The closest relative of sugar beets, fodder and common beets. In appearance, Swiss chard is similar to spinach. As a vegetable plant, muggold is widely distributed in Latin America, Central and Western Europe, North Africa, as well as Mexico, India, USA, Japan and other countries.

Characteristics of culture

Chard is a herb with long stems and leaves. In the first year of life, the culture forms a large rosette of leaves and a highly branched, slightly thickened root. In the second year, flowering stems are formed in plants, and subsequently seeds. The leaves are even, bubbly or curly, the stems are white, yellow, light green, dark green or red.

Today, there are two main forms of chard: shnitt-chard (lat.beta vulgaris subsp.vulgaris var.vulgaris convar.vulgaris) and stem or veined chard (lat.beta vulgaris subsp.vulgaris var.vulgaris convar.flavescens). Schnitt-chard is characterized by increased frost resistance, even after cutting the leaves, it gives a new crop. Stem chard can only be identified by the prominent white or reddish veins on the stem.

Growing conditions

High yields of chard leaves are obtained only on light, fertile soils with a neutral pH reaction. The culture grows especially well on plains, the soils of which allow the roots of plants to develop freely in depth. In general, Swiss chard is not picky, it easily adapts to different climates and soils. Plants do not accept thickened plantings. The optimal distance between leafy plants is 25 cm, between petiole plants - about 50 cm. It is not forbidden to grow Swiss chard in close proximity to carrots, lettuce, onions, various types of cabbage, but it is not recommended to plant spinach next to it.

Sowing

Leaf beets are grown by sowing seeds in open ground or through seedlings. Seeds are sown in a row method with an interval of 45 cm. The sowing rate is 1013 g per 10 square meters. The seeding depth is 2-3 cm. The crops are sprinkled with humus or peat, this procedure allows you to get earlier shoots.

Winter forcing

Chard can grow on the windowsill without any problems. At the end of September, or rather, before the onset of stable frosts, the roots of the plant are carefully undermined and transplanted into a heated greenhouse or into pots. the temperature in the room should be at least 20-22C. The first cutting of leaves is carried out after 25-30 days.

Care

The first thinning is carried out with the appearance of 2-3 true leaves on the shoots, the distance between the plants should be about 15 cm. The second thinning implies the interval between plants of petiole varieties - 40 cm, leaf varieties - 25 cm. After thinning, the chard is fed with ammonium nitrate, potassium salt and superphosphate … Further care consists in systematic weeding, loosening of row spacings and watering.

Pest and disease control plays a very important role in beetroot. Often young plants are damaged by the rootworm, which is the causative agent of diseases; if not treated in time, the plants turn black, wither and die. The disease develops on highly waterlogged soils. Often, chard is affected by spotting and downy mildew. The most important preventive measure is compliance with all care rules and growing conditions.

Harvesting and storage

Harvesting of leaf forms of chard begins 60-70 days after germination, by which time at least 5-7 large leaves are formed in plants. Several cuts are carried out during the season, since the leaves grow very quickly. Harvesting of petiolate forms of chard is started 90-100 days after germination. Store the leaves and stalks of chard in boxes. Lay them in a thin layer.