Chard Seeds

Chard, Beta vulgaris var. cicla, is also known as Swiss chard, leaf beet, silver chard and sea kale beet. It’s a popular ornamental vegetable due to the attractive, brightly coloured stalks.

Successional sowing is not necessary, as one sowing will produce crops that last for months. It’s highly versatile, as the leaves can be steamed and used like spinach, while the midribs (also called stems or chards) can be steamed, boiled or braised and used as you would celery. Chard grows well in a sunny position, in rich, moisture-retentive free-draining soil, although it can tolerate some shade in summer. If you have cold or heavy soil, sow in modules and transplant when large enough to handle and after being hardened off.