A Detailed Guide to the Planting Methods and Timing of Swiss Chard
SummaryCrop rotation and soil preparation: Continuous cropping is not suitable; a crop rotation system should be used, with soybean, corn, and wheat as the best preceding crops. Apply 2000 kg of decomposed barnyard manure and 20 kg of diammonium phosphate per mu. Planting time: Plant in early to mid-April, either by direct sowing or by raising seedlings and transplanting. Scientific management: Apply 8-10 kg of urea per mu during the mid-growth stage. Disease control: After planting, drench the roots 2-3 times with an 800-1000 times dilution of Lüheng No. 3 or No. 6.
I. Crop Rotation and Soil Preparation
Swiss chard is not suitable for continuous cropping and needs to be grown in a crop rotation system. Soybean, corn, and wheat are the best preceding crops. Because Swiss chard has a weak root system and requires loose soil, after the preceding crop is harvested, the land should be plowed in time for sun-baking and frost-baking. Then, in early to mid-April, in combination with soil preparation, apply 2000 kg of decomposed barnyard manure and 20 kg of diammonium phosphate per mu as base fertilizer, and rake and level the soil.
II. Planting Time
In various parts of Shandong, planting generally begins in early to mid-April. It can be done by direct sowing or by raising seedlings and transplanting. For direct sowing, drilling or dibbling can be used, with a row spacing of about 30 cm and 2-3 cm of soil cover, using 1.5-2 kg of seed per mu. Seedling transplanting can be carried out when the seedlings are 15-20 cm tall, which helps increase the germination rate. Before direct sowing, seed soaking can be done: first soak the seeds in warm water at 50-55°C for 30 minutes, then soak them in cold water for about 24 hours, then remove them and let them dry before planting.
III. Scientific Management
After Swiss chard emerges, it should be thinned in time. Thin once when it grows to 2-3 true leaves, and final thinning should be done at 4-6 leaves, with a plant spacing of 20-30 cm. During the growth stage, it needs more watering. In the rainy season, drainage should be timely to avoid waterlogging. At the same time, weeds should be removed and the soil loosened in time. During the mid-growth stage, apply 8-10 kg of urea per mu to promote early and rapid growth.
IV. Disease Control
1. Swiss chard can suffer severe disease, and most plants may suddenly die as they grow. Therefore, after the seedlings are raised, when they grow to 12-15 cm, transplanting should begin. After planting, drench the roots 2-3 times with an 800-1000 times dilution of Lüheng No. 3 or No. 6. At the same time, necessary trace elements need to be supplemented. A relatively economical and scientific option is to use Lübo vegetable liquid fertilizer and spray it on the leaves 2-3 times, which helps promote strong growth of Swiss chard.
2. If the roots of Swiss chard develop bead-like swellings of varying sizes, about the size of soybeans, it is clubroot. If not controlled in time, the Swiss chard will generally wither and die. Therefore, it is necessary to use a 1000-1500 times dilution of Lüheng No. 1, use a sprayer with the nozzle removed, and apply it into the root soil.
V. Harvest
After Swiss chard is transplanted, leaves can be picked for use 30-40 days later. Pick 3-5 leaves per plant each time, leaving 4-5 leaves on the Swiss chard to continue growing. Generally, the amount of leaves picked needs to be determined according to the season and growth conditions. In the peak growth period from June to July, it can be harvested 4-5 times, with a fresh leaf yield of more than 4000 kg per mu.
VI. Seed Saving
In early November, dig out the plants with roots, cut off the leaves, and bury them in a pit to avoid frost damage. Plant them again in early April of the second year, with a row spacing and plant spacing of 35-45 cm. Seeds can be harvested in early July, generally yielding 50-60 kg of seed per mu.