Swiss Chard
Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris
Colorful leafy green with vibrant red, yellow, or white stems. Cut-and-come-again harvesting provides months of fresh greens.
Overview
Companion Planting
Carrot
Onion
Cabbage
LettuceToxicity
Contains oxalic acid which can contribute to kidney or bladder stones in humans, dogs, and cats when consumed in large quantities; cooking (especially boiling) reduces oxalate content significantly.
Planting Tips
1 cm of water per m² equals 10 liters. Use the Watering Calculator for exact amounts.
Care Tip: Thin seedlings to about 10 cm apart; harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage continuous production throughout the season.
Common Pests
Aphids
Symptoms: Clusters of small insects on leaf undersides; curled, yellowing leaves and sticky honeydew residue.
Treatment: Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; dislodge with a strong stream of water.
Prevention: Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings; avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization.
Spinach Leafminer
Symptoms: Winding, tan-colored tunnels (mines) within the leaves; blotchy, damaged foliage.
Treatment: Remove and destroy affected leaves promptly; squash larvae visible inside mines.
Prevention: Cover plants with fine mesh row covers to prevent adult flies from laying eggs on leaves.
Flea Beetles
Symptoms: Numerous tiny round holes (shot-holes) in leaves; wilted or stunted young plants.
Treatment: Apply neem oil or kaolin clay spray; use sticky traps near plants.
Prevention: Use row covers on young plants; maintain clean garden beds and practice crop rotation.
Common Diseases
Cercospora Leaf Spot
Symptoms: Round, gray to brown spots with reddish-purple borders on leaves; fuzzy growth in humid conditions.
Treatment: Remove and destroy infected leaves; apply a copper-based fungicide if the problem persists.
Prevention: Space plants adequately for air circulation; water at the base of plants and practice crop rotation.
Downy Mildew
Symptoms: Yellowish patches on upper leaf surfaces with grayish-white fuzzy growth on the undersides.
Treatment: Remove affected foliage immediately; apply copper fungicide as needed.
Prevention: Ensure good air circulation by proper spacing; avoid overhead watering and water in the morning.
Cucumber Mosaic Virus
Symptoms: Stunted growth with mottled yellow-green patterns on leaves; distorted, cupped foliage.
Treatment: No cure exists; remove and destroy infected plants immediately to prevent spread.
Prevention: Control aphid populations (the primary vector); use disease-free seed and sanitize garden tools.