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The chard harvest time can vary depending on the variety. We show when and how to harvest chard correctly and what you have to consider when storing it.

Chard is he althy and tasty and can easily be grown and harvested in your own garden

Chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris) is considered he althy and versatile in the kitchen. It also contains numerous he althy vitamins and minerals. However, if the vegetables are not harvested and stored properly, the valuable ingredients are lost. So that this doesn't happen to you, in this article you will learn when the best time to harvest chard is, how to harvest it correctly and how to store the delicious vegetables.

Harvest chard

What could be nicer than being able to reap the rewards of your work after a long time of care and attention? Swiss chard is an undemanding vegetable that is easy to grow in your own garden. And with the right technique, you can harvest chard all summer long.

When and how long can you harvest Swiss chard?

Mangold can be harvested all summer long into autumn. Leaf chard is ready to harvest eight to ten weeks after sowing and can be harvested from mid-June to the end of October. Swiss chard takes a little longer to become ready for harvest: you can start harvesting it ten to twelve weeks after sowing. From the end of May to the end of October, the Swiss chard then supplies fresh, crisp leaves and stalks.

Those who tend and care for their chard can look forward to a rich harvest

When is chard best harvested?

  • Leaf chard: 8 - 10 weeks maturing time; Harvest from mid-April to late October
  • Mangold: 10 - 12 weeks maturing time; Harvest from April to the end of October

Tip: If you have a greenhouse, you can also grow chard there and harvest the delicious vegetables fresh all year round.

The right way to harvest Swiss chard

Mangold, as the name suggests, is harvested with the stalk. To do this, individual leaves with the stem are broken off by hand just above the root. If as little as possible remains, there is noneDanger that the leftovers will start to rot. You can also cut off the individual leaves with a knife, but then they will no longer grow back, but only again in spring. It is harvested from the outside in, the chard heart in the middle should be left intact. Then new leaves can form again and again and the chard can continue to be harvested into autumn. If you only want to harvest the chard once, you can also cut off the entire chard plant just above the ground.

Leaf chard is harvested in the same way as stem chard. Either you harvest the leaves - as needed - from the outside in or you cut all the leaves off at once just above the ground. Leaf chard will still continue to grow even after it has been cut off completely.

Mangold is harvested with the stalk working from the outside in

How is Swiss chard harvested?

  • Swiss chard: Harvest individual leaves with the stalk working from the outside in
  • Break or cut stems just above the root
  • Leave the chard heart intact
  • Alternatively, cut off the entire chard with a sharp knife just above the bottom
  • Leaf chard: Also harvest from the outside inwards
  • Or cut off all leaves with knife or scissors just above the ground
  • The plant will sprout again and form new leaves

Tip: If the chard leaves are harvested early, they can be used in baby leaf salad.

Storage and preservation of Swiss chard

Chard is unfortunately very difficult to store. It is therefore advisable to only harvest as much chard at a time as you can use. Fresh chard can be kept fresh for up to two days in the fridge. To do this, wrap the chard leaves in a damp tea towel and place them in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator. It is important that neither fruit nor tomatoes are stored in the same compartment, as they accelerate ripening.

How can chard be stored and preserved?

  • Consume as fresh as possible
  • Wrap in a damp kitchen towel to store
  • Store in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator
  • Can be stored for a maximum of 1 - 2 days

Can you freeze chard?

Yes, it is possible to freeze chard. This is actually a very good way of preserving the leafy vegetables, for example if all the chard is out of the garden in autumn before the first frostis harvested and not everything can be processed fresh. Of course, you can also simply freeze the fresh chard raw. However, it is advisable to blanch the chard beforehand. This way it keeps its color and its aroma is better. First wash the chard and remove any wilted parts. Leaves that are too large are cut into small pieces. Then the chard is placed in boiling water for a minute and then the leaves are placed in ice water. The blanched leaves are then dabbed off with a kitchen towel and placed in freezer bags. These can then be frozen - labeled of course - and can be kept for up to a year.

Before freezing, chard is recommended to be blanched to preserve color and flavor

Freeze chard step-by-step instructions:

  1. Wash the chard thoroughly, chop if necessary
  2. Blanch in boiling water for one minute
  3. Remove from boiling water and place in ice water
  4. Drain well
  5. Fill into freezer bag
  6. Frozen chard keeps for up to 12 months

You can find out more about he althy chard here.

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Category:

Vegetables