When to plant chard?
Sow chard outdoors from April to July, and from March to August if you want small salad leaves. In Sicily the written sowing is March-June in temperate climates and September-October in mild ones, and in Campania the spring cycle starts from April, at 16-24 °C.
When, by region
| North | Centre | South | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sowing | Outdoors from April to July, seed 2.5 cm deep. Two sowings, one in April and one in July, are usually enough. For baby leaves, a few seeds every few weeks, from March to August. Indoors from early spring, and out from 5 cm tall. | Umbria's 2025 sheet, for leaf and stem chard, does not fix a month. With one cycle a year, return after at least 2 cycles of other crops. With two cycles in the same year, after at least 2 years. | In Campania the spring cycle is sown in succession from April. Harvest 60-90 days from sowing, or 50-70 from transplanting. In Sicily, March-June in a temperate climate and September-October in a mild one, for winter. |
| Spacing | Seeds 10 cm apart, then plants at 30 cm, or at 5 cm for baby leaves. Rows 45 cm apart. A pot at least 40 cm wide. Sun, or light shade in summer. | As in the north for the RHS. Umbria does not write a spacing. | In Campania, germination and growth at 16-24 °C. Sown, 130,000-140,000 plants per hectare. Transplanted, 80,000-100,000. In Sicily, 2-3 cm deep, 20-25 cm in the row and 30-35 between rows, growth at 15-25 °C. |
Two sowings, April and July, are usually enough for the RHS. The July one gives leaves the following spring.
April to July, March-August for baby leaves, indoors from early spring, 2.5 cm, 10 cm, 30 cm, 5 cm, 45 cm, transplanting at 5 cm tall and a 40 cm pot are from the RHS. April, the 60-90 days, the 50-70, 16-24 °C and 130,000-140,000 plants per hectare are from Campania. March-June, September-October, 2-3 cm, 20-25 cm, 30-35, 15-25 °C and the 60-80 days for the stalks are from Sicily. The 2 cycles or the 2 years, and the lack of a month, are from Umbria's 2025 sheet on leaf and stem chard. Spinach, which bolts in the heat, is in when to plant spinach. The months are in the March calendar, April, May, June, July, August, September and October.
April, and again in July
The RHS sows outdoors from April to July. Two dates, April and July, are usually enough. The April one gives leaves through summer and autumn. The July one overwinters and starts again in spring. For salad leaves, a few seeds every few weeks, from March to August, and thin to 5 cm. Seed goes 2.5 cm (1 in) deep, 10 cm (4 in) apart, rows 45 cm (18 in) apart, then plants at 30 cm (1 ft). Indoors, from early spring, one or two seeds a module covered with 2.5 cm. Plant out from 5 cm (2 in) tall, at the same spacing.
Sun, or light shade in summer. White-stemmed varieties are the hardiest and the most productive. Coloured ones are grown the same way. In a pot at least 40 cm (16 in) wide and deep, from April to July, seeds 10 cm apart. See the container garden.
Campania and Sicily
In Campania, germination and growth are happiest at 16-24 °C. The spring cycle is sown in succession from April, and cut 60-90 days from sowing, or 50-70 from transplanting. Transplanted, at an optimum temperature, it crops in about a month. In spring and autumn it can take up to 60 days. A sown plant takes about 20 days longer than a transplanted one. Sown, 130,000-140,000 plants per hectare. Transplanted, 80,000-100,000. The pH they give is between 6 and 7. A month past April, for summer or autumn, is not written.
In Sicily, sow in spring, March-June, in temperate climates, and in September-October in mild ones, for a winter harvest. Growth is happiest between 15 and 25 °C, and the plant stands a light frost. Seed goes 2-3 cm deep, 20-25 cm in the row and 30-35 between rows. The stalks are cut after 60-80 days. The leaves, on the same sheet, after 50-60. Transplant at 3-4 true leaves. Umbria, in 2025, has the leaf and stem chard sheet and sets no month. Spinach is in when to plant spinach.
Outer leaves, winter, the return
Cut the outer leaves at the base, and leave the centre. On a plant already at least 20 cm (8 in) tall you can cut the lot, at least 5 cm (2 in) above the base, and it resprouts. Leaves up to about 5 cm can be eaten raw. The stalks, raw, are crunchy. In winter the plant stops. It is hardy and stays outside with no cover. Under a cloche it may make a few leaves in mild spells, and in spring it starts sooner. A pot can go into a greenhouse.
Water while young, and then in long dry spells. In a pot, all season. How much is in watering. In the heat it may flower: cut the stalk, and the leaves carry on for a while. In Umbria, with one cycle a year, return after at least 2 cycles of other crops. With two consecutive cycles in the same year, after at least 2 years. Beetroot, in crop rotation, sits with the roots. Stem chard is not named on that RHS list. Slugs and leaf miner are in pests and diseases.
In the app
Every plant in the catalogue has its own sowing calendar, and weather alerts for your area help you judge whether to sow now or hold off.
Frequently asked questions
When do I sow outdoors in the north?
From April to July, seed 2.5 cm deep. Two sowings, April and July, are usually enough. For baby leaves, from March to August. Indoors from early spring, and out from 5 cm tall. Plants at 30 cm, rows 45 cm apart.
What months do Campania and Sicily write?
Campania: the spring cycle starts from April, at 16-24 °C, and is cut 60-90 days from sowing. Sicily: March-June in a temperate climate and September-October in a mild one, at 15-25 °C. Umbria sets no month.
Is April the only Campania month?
It is the only one written. The sheet says from April, in succession, for the spring crop. A summer or autumn month, beyond that sentence, is not there. In autumn it only writes that a transplant can take up to 60 days.
How are the stalks cut?
The RHS cuts the outer leaves at the base and leaves the centre. In Sicily the stalks are ready after 60-80 days, once the rib is thick and crisp. In Campania, 60-90 days from sowing.
Can it go back on the same spot?
In Umbria, with one cycle a year, after at least 2 cycles of other crops. With two cycles in the same year, after at least 2 years. The RHS, on its root list, names beetroot and does not name chard.