Swiss chard crop profile: sowing, temperatures, and harvest
OrtoClima crop rules for Swiss chard.
Swiss chard crop profile
Reference profile for starting swiss chard, checking temperature thresholds, and estimating harvest timing.
Crop summary
- Starting method: direct sowing
- Direct-sowing soil threshold: 4 C
- Transplant soil threshold: not available
- Night minimum: 1 C
- Frost buffer: -14 days
- Heat stop: 32 C
- Harvest range: 50-70 days
- Indoor lead: not planned
How to start it
Swiss chard is normally started by direct sowing. The main check is soil temperature: wait until it reaches at least 4 C.
Temperature thresholds
The operating thresholds are: direct-sowing soil at least 4 C; night minimum around 1 C.
The frost buffer allows considering starts up to 14 days before the cautious date, when the other thresholds are also met.
The heat stop is set at 32 C: avoid new starts in the hottest phases.
Harvest timing
The estimated harvest for swiss chard usually falls after 50-70 days from a useful sowing date.
This is a practical average: local climate, variety, exposure, and water management can move the first and last harvest dates.
Seasonal notes
- It can also work in autumn when local climate stays within the thresholds.
- The negative frost buffer indicates a more cold-tolerant crop, as long as soil can be worked.
FAQ
What starting method is used for swiss chard?
The recommended starting method is direct sowing. The main thresholds are direct-sowing soil 4 C, transplant soil not available, and night minimum 1 C.
How long is the swiss chard cycle in the profile?
The indicative harvest range is 50-70 days. The local page can move these dates according to the municipality and climate.
When do heat or cold close the swiss chard window?
The frost buffer is -14 days and the heat stop is 32 C. These values describe the crop's general needs; municipality pages adapt them to local climate.