Propagation
Propagation is from seed.Planting Method
Direct sowing is used and thinning can take place to ensure the correct spacing. Mechanical planting is done as well to ensure correct spacing at planting. Seeds should be planted 20 mm deep. Seedlings can also be sown in seed trays and planted out when grown to ten centimeters.Spacing
Plants should be spaced ten to 20 cm apart in rows that are 30 to 40 cm apart. This is 16 to 30 plants per m². Therefore 160 000 to 300 000+ plants per hectare.Sowing Time
Although this plant can be sowed throughout the year as long as the climate is right, in South Africa there are two main sowing times that are used. January to April if the winters are not too cold and August to December.Growth Period
Harvesting of the first outer leaves can begin 70 to 80 days from planting. To ensure longer production periods and therefore higher yields Swiss chard requires a constant source of Nitrogen in the soil.Fertilization
Prior to planting when soil is being prepared, cleaned and composted an initial application of between 700 kg and 1000 kg of a good mixture of Nitrogen, Phosphates and Potassium like 2:3:2 should be mixed into the topsoil.
Thereafter, 250 kg of LAN should be applied at four weeks and again eight weeks from planting. The use of chicken manure that is high in Nitrogen has also increased yields substantially to as much as 70 tons per Hectare.
Irrigation
In the first month of the plant’s growth the soil must be checked daily to ensure that the plant suffers no moisture stress as the plant is very sensitive to this.
At higher temperatures when soils are drying out faster, weekly or even twice weekly irrigation must be administered. In cooler areas irrigation can be stretched to 14 day intervals on heavier soils.
Remembering at all times that Swiss chard with its relatively shallow root system is sensitive to soil moisture stress. It is imperative to check soil moisture tension twice a week.
By Louise Brodie