Vegetable · Amaranthaceae family
chard
Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris (Cicla Group)
In short a 10-second read
Chard (vegetable) grows to 0.3–0.6 m tall and 0.2–0.45 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil. Sow in April–July. Harvest in June–October.
× spread 0.2–0.45 m
Where to plant
Sun and soil.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
average to moist · watering: moderate
Soil: humus-rich, loamy
Soil pH 6–7.5
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Pruning
harvest regularly (June–October)
Sowing
direct sowing: April–July
Harvest
June–October
Winter protection
does not overwinter
What to combine it with
Ready-made combinations.
Ready-made Studio combinations that include chard
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Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When do I sow chard?
In April–July (direct sowing).
When is chard harvested?
In June–October.
Does chard tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does chard need?
At maturity 0.2–0.45 m wide and 0.3–0.6 m tall; recommended spacing 30 cm.
Where the data comes from
We compared the data in 5 expert sources. Last checked 20 October 2026.
Show sources (5)
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- RHS — How to grow chard
- Wikidata (CC0) — chard / Mangold
- UMD Extension - Growing Swiss Chard
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EU
