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SUS Farms · Utah Seed Library

Growing Swiss Chard in Utah

vegetable · Amaranthaceae · cool season · 55 days to harvest

MethodIndoor or direct
Days to maturity55 days
Seed depth0.5″
Plant spacing8″
Row spacing18″
Germ. temp50–85°F

Schedule (May 15 last frost · Sevier County)

Start indoors4/3
Transplant out5/1
Direct sow5/1
First harvest6/26

Planting depth, drawn to scale

0"1"2"3"4"5"6"0.5" deep

Step-by-step

  1. 1. Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost. Seed-starting mix in 2-4" cells. Bottom heat at 50–85°F until germination, then drop to room temperature. 14-16 hours of light from clip-lamp 2" from leaves.
  2. 2. Harden off for 7 days. Day 1: 1 hour outside in shade. Add an hour and more sun each day. Skip if windy or below 50°F.
  3. 3. Transplant 8″ apart in rows 18″ apart. Soil should be at least 50°F before planting. Black plastic mulch laid two weeks ahead helps in cool springs.
  4. 4. Mulch and water consistently. 2" of straw or wood chip around the base. Drip line at surface. 1" per week including rain.
  5. 5. Harvest around day 55. Most heat-tolerant of the leafy greens — produces all summer in Utah where lettuce bolts.