beet family

Chard

Beta vulgaris Cicla Group · Easy

A robust cut-and-come-again leaf crop that can bridge summer, autumn and the following spring.

Sow

Sow outdoors from April to July; baby-leaf batches can start earlier.

Direct sow or transplant module-raised seedlings.

Repeated pickings from summer into autumn and often again in spring.

Practical growing notes

Long harvest period, ornamental stems and excellent cold tolerance.

Keep picking outer leaves and protect young plants from slugs.

Keep the bed moving

A succession-friendly salad crop, especially useful as loose-leaf or cut-and-come-again types.

One of the fastest food crops, ideal for gaps and repeated small sowings.

A compact peppery leaf crop that can be harvested repeatedly and grows well in containers.

A low-maintenance overwintering crop planted as named, disease-free cloves.