Growing Swiss Chard in Autumn: A Guide to Planting, Care, and Harvesting

Swiss chard is a hardy, nutrient-dense leafy green that’s perfect for autumn planting. Known for its vibrant colors and mild, slightly earthy flavor, Swiss chard is a versatile vegetable that can be used in salads, sautés, and soups. Autumn is an ideal season for growing chard, as it thrives in cooler temperatures and can be harvested well into winter with some frost protection. Here’s everything you need to know about growing Swiss chard in autumn, from planting tips to harvesting and storing your crop.

Why Grow Swiss Chard in Autumn?

Swiss chard is resilient in cooler temperatures, which enhances its flavor and makes it less prone to bolting (flowering prematurely). Planting chard in autumn allows it to grow slowly and steadily, developing thick, tender stalks and flavorful leaves. Chard can tolerate light frost, so it provides a reliable source of fresh greens throughout the colder months.

Best Varieties of Swiss Chard for Autumn Planting

There are several beautiful and flavorful varieties of Swiss chard to choose from for autumn planting:

Bright Lights: Known for its rainbow-colored stems in shades of red, yellow, orange, and pink, Bright Lights is both colorful and flavorful, adding visual appeal to your garden and dishes.
Fordhook Giant: This classic variety produces large, dark green leaves and thick white stalks. It’s particularly cold-tolerant and a reliable choice for autumn.
Ruby Red: Also known as Rhubarb Chard, Ruby Red has striking red stems and dark green leaves with a mild flavor. It’s a fast-growing, productive variety ideal for cool weather.
Lucullus: With its light green stems and crinkled leaves, Lucullus is a productive heirloom variety known for its tender texture and mild taste.
Perpetual Spinach: This Swiss chard variety resembles spinach in both flavor and texture, making it a great choice for spinach lovers. It’s productive, slow to bolt, and grows well in cool conditions.

Steps for Planting Swiss Chard in Autumn

Choose a Sunny or Partially Shaded Location
Swiss chard grows best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade, especially in warmer regions. Select a location with well-draining soil to prevent root rot.
Prepare the Soil
Chard thrives in fertile, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.0). Add compost or well-rotted manure to the soil before planting to provide nutrients and improve soil structure.
Sow Seeds Directly or Transplant Seedlings
Swiss chard can be sown directly in the garden or started indoors 4–6 weeks before transplanting. Plant seeds about ½ inch deep, spacing them 6–12 inches apart in rows 12–18 inches apart. For transplanting, space seedlings similarly to allow for full growth.
Water Well
After planting, water the soil thoroughly to help seeds or seedlings establish. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the early stages of growth.

Caring for Swiss Chard Through Autumn

Mulch: Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to help retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and prevent weed growth. Mulching also protects the roots during colder weather.
Fertilize Lightly: Chard is a moderate feeder and benefits from a balanced fertilizer or compost applied every few weeks to promote healthy leaves and stems.
Water Regularly: Chard requires consistent watering to stay tender and productive. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely, especially during dry spells.
Protect from Heavy Frost: While Swiss chard can tolerate light frost, use row covers or garden fleece during extreme cold to protect it from freezing. This can help extend the harvest season into winter.

Harvesting Swiss Chard

Swiss chard is ready for harvest 50–60 days after planting, but you can begin picking baby leaves earlier if desired. The cut-and-come-again method is ideal for chard, allowing for a continuous harvest.

Harvesting Baby Chard
For tender, young chard, pick leaves when they’re about 3–4 inches tall. These baby greens are ideal for salads and light sautés.
Harvesting Mature Chard
For larger leaves, harvest when they reach about 8–12 inches in length. Cut the outer leaves at the base, leaving the central leaves to keep growing. This method allows you to harvest over an extended period.

Storage Tips

Swiss chard is best eaten fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Wrap the leaves in a damp paper towel and place them in a plastic bag or airtight container. For long-term storage, Swiss chard can be blanched and frozen, though it may lose some texture.