Some people are not even aware of the beneficial properties of many plants. Sometimes, under the unsightly appearance of some bush, truly amazing healing abilities are hidden, but often decorative leaves are distinguished by such remarkable characteristics, and chard is just like that.
Many may not even realize that chard is a beet, but not a root one, like the traditional one, but a leaf one. The Mediterranean is considered to be the birthplace of the plant. Today, this kind of beetroot is grown in many countries of Western and Central Europe, in the USA, in Latin America, Japan, India.
Compound
Swiss chard is a plant that is amazing in its composition. Chard contains a lot of vitamins, including K, C, E, A, as well as B vitamins, a large number of macroelements, including potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and microelements, including copper, iron, selenium , zinc. Moreover, what is mentioned is not the entire list of beneficial substances that make up chard.
Properties of chard
Despite the fact that Aristotle mentioned the beneficial properties of chard in his works, and this, let me remind you, was in the 4th century BC, nowadays many people grow chard exclusively as a ornamental plant, not realizing that it is a panacea for many diseases.
Chard helps strengthen bones and teeth. Chard is a source of the mineral calcium, which has a beneficial effect on the condition of bones and teeth; by the way, magnesium and vitamin K, present in large quantities in chard, contribute to the health of bones and teeth.
Chard is an excellent prevention of anemia due to the fact that its variegated leaves contain a large amount of iron. In addition, the plant promotes the formation of new blood cells, protects health of cardio-vascular system, and also thanks to vitamin K, which, as you already know, is part of Swiss chard, ensures normal blood clotting, prevents internal bleeding and bruising.
Chard normalizes blood sugar levels. This property of Swiss chard is due to the fact that the leaves contain fiber and syringic acid.
Chard has anti-cancer properties. So valuable properties due to the high content of antioxidants and fiber.
Chard gives hair health and beauty. As you know, hair follicles feed on sebum, and the vitamins contained in chard, in particular A and C, activate its production.
Chard is also good for the brain. Vitamins B and K help activate brain activity, so if your work involves mental stress, be sure to include chard in your diet.
Chard is effective for vision problems. The eyes need lutein and zeaxanthin, these substances are found in chard beets.
In addition to the indicated Chard is good for the heart and blood vessels, due to the fact that it contains 13 different polyphenols, including kaempferol. The plant also has cleansing and anti-inflammatory properties.
Chard: contraindications
Due to the beneficial properties indicated above, chard should be included in your diet. However, do not overuse chard, as it contains some oxalates, which, due to crystallization, can cause kidney and gall bladder problems.
Chard: application
There is no doubt about the effectiveness of chard, as you have already seen for yourself. Beetroot is used in folk medicine(for example, boiled leaves are applied to abscesses and burns. With the help of a compress from crushed leaves, they get rid of inflammation of the eyes. Freshly squeezed chard juice helps with toothache, it is also used to remove warts and remove freckles. Gruel from chard root is an excellent remedy against baldness). However, chard is also widely used in cooking, as it is used as a tasty and healthy ingredient for vegetable salads.
Do you know what chard is? Despite the wide distribution of the culture, not all gardeners in our country are familiar with it. Essentially, these are the same beets, but only their leaves are eaten.
If you want to grow it in the garden, in our article you will find all the necessary information about sowing chard and caring for it, and photos and videos will help you study the crop and master the skills to care for it.
Swiss chard: planting, care and propagation
Growing leaf beets is not yet very common in our country. Although this vegetable is completely undeservedly bypassed. The leaves contain many vitamins and nutrients, much more than regular table beets.
Peculiarities
Growing and caring for chard is not a difficult task, because, in fact, this vegetable is just a type of beet. Accordingly, sowing and further care is also carried out. But since the crop is still considered a leafy one, some differ in planting and care in open ground, in comparison with beets, still exist (Figure 1).
Picture 1. External features chard First of all, it is characterized by high cold resistance: its seeds germinate successfully even at temperatures of 6-7 degrees. Therefore, sowing can be done both in early April and in mid-summer to get fresh greens in the fall.
Note: Thanks to its resistance to low temperatures winter sowing can also be carried out so that in early spring harvest fresh herbs.
Planting can be done either directly by sowing seeds in open ground or through seedlings. The latter method will allow you to get an earlier harvest.
Rules of care
Chard does not require special care. But, if you want to get large leaves, it is advisable to water it regularly (in the absence of natural precipitation) and sometimes add weak solutions mineral fertilizers. For these purposes, it is advisable not to use nitrogenous fertilizers, as they lead to the accumulation of nitrates in the leaves.
During the cultivation process, you can gradually cut off the outer leaves. This will make the plant more luxuriant. Since this is a biennial plant, the most strong bushes can be left for the winter, covered with a layer of mulch. In the spring, the bush will produce new shoots and the green crop can be harvested again.
Conditions
Any soil is suitable for growing, but on fertile soils the bush grows more luxuriantly. That is why one of key conditions sowing is considered after crops for which organic fertilizers were applied.
Planting is carried out when the soil is warmed to a depth of 3-4 cm, but if sowing is carried out earlier, it is better to cover the bed with film to enhance germination. As a rule, seedlings need to be thinned out, and large bushes need to be hilled up so that the stems are more stable.
Using chard beets
The leaves of the plant contain many vitamins and nutrients. That is why it is recommended to include it in the diet along with spinach and other green crops.
Swiss chard is very beneficial for people with diabetes mellitus, anemia and high blood pressure. In addition, it strengthens the immune system and improves liver function.
The leaves are most often eaten, using them to make salads. But the petioles are also suitable for eating. They can be stewed, pickled and even fermented for the winter. More useful information You will learn about the beneficial properties of the plant from the video.
Chard varieties
There are several varieties of chard that differ in petiole color (for example, scarlet or green). Growing these crops is practically no different, but there are still some features.
Red chard: planting and care
Red chard beets are sown in mid-April, when temperatures are relatively stable. It is advisable to cover the bed with film so that the seeds germinate faster (Figure 2).
Figure 2. Red chard This variety is resistant to flowering, and the first harvest can begin within a month and a half after planting. Since it forms a fairly large rosette with large leaves, the crops must be thinned out and watered moderately in dry weather.
Chard Emerald - growing from seeds
Growing the Emerald variety from seeds will take a fairly long period of time, since this variety ripens relatively late. From the moment the first shoots appear until harvest, approximately 2 months pass.
The culture is distinguished by a compact rosette with medium-sized leaves. The petioles are very juicy and quite large, so they are excellent for stewing and pickling (Figure 3).
Planting and care (features, rules, etc.)
The bed for the plant is prepared in the fall. To do this, you need to dig the ground very deeply, since the plant has a long and branched root.
Note: The optimal loosening depth is at least 30 centimeters, but if possible, the soil can be cultivated deeper.
Figure 3. Chard variety Izumrud It is advisable to add fertilizers to the soil: humus, nitrogen and potassium. This condition is not necessary, but if the soil is fertile, the leaves will become juicy and tasty. On heavy clay soils Without feeding, the leaves become too coarse.
How to grow from seeds
Before planting, the seeds are soaked in water for two days or wrapped in damp gauze. But on fertile soils, the seeds do not need to be soaked; they germinate without it (Figure 4).
It is best to sow it at the same time as potatoes, in sufficiently warm soil. If the ground is cold, the plants will begin to produce arrows rather than leaves. When sowing early, the bed must be covered with film to maintain temperature and humidity.
Figure 4. Soil preparation and sowing of chard The seed sowing depth is no more than 3 centimeters. Shoots will appear in two weeks. After several leaves have formed, loosening and thinning are carried out, removing the weakest plants.
The crop can also be grown through seedlings, following the example of beets. But in this case, the sprouts are transplanted into the ground later, when the ground temperature reaches at least 10 degrees.
In the future, the bed is periodically loosened and the seedlings are thinned out. Watering is practically not required, since the crop is highly resistant to drought. But, if the soil becomes too dry, the soil will have to be additionally moistened.
From the video you will learn how to properly prepare seeds for growing seedlings or leaf beets in open ground.
Growing in a greenhouse
Chard is also suitable for growing in a greenhouse. Due to the fact that the crop has minimal care requirements, you can get a harvest of fresh greens even in winter (Figure 5).
Note: You can make a garden bed in a greenhouse not only with seeds, but also with roots. They are buried in the ground at a short distance from each other and sprinkled with a small layer of soil, leaving the growth point open.
When planted with roots, the crop takes root faster, and the stable temperature and humidity of the greenhouse accelerates the growth and maturation of leaves. However, the room should not be allowed to become too hot. If the temperature rises above 20 degrees, the plants will begin to shoot arrows.
Figure 5. Growing in a greenhouse from seeds and seedlings In closed ground, it is advisable to feed the plant liquid fertilizers and water moderately (about once a week). If these conditions are met, it can be grown in a greenhouse not only in summer, but also in winter.
Propagation and harvesting
Proper cultivation and care of chard will allow you to obtain fresh greens from early spring until autumn. Moreover, the crop can be propagated not only by seeds or seedlings, but even by roots. They can be planted in a pot and placed on the windowsill. This way you can get a harvest even in winter.
Figure 6. Harvesting Swiss chard Harvesting continues throughout the growing season (Figure 6). Leaves are cut from outside so that the rosette continues to form a green mass. The more leaves you cut, the bushier the bush will become. The roots can be left in the ground for the winter, covering them with a layer of mulch. This way you can get the first harvest of greenery in early spring.
Diseases and pests
Among the pests, the most dangerous are beet aphids and flea beetles. To combat them, spray with insecticides or onion infusion. As a preventive measure, the seeded bed is sprinkled with ash.
Swiss chard, or Swiss chard ( ), has very unusual bright leaves.
Just look at this play of colors: green, red, yellow and white shades. Can you imagine how many antioxidants it contains? The taste of the leaves is reminiscent of both spinach and beets: a slight bitterness and saltiness that quickly disappears, a delicate and refreshing taste.
Many people mistakenly believe that Switzerland is the birthplace of the plant. In fact, this is the Mediterranean region, especially the territory of Greece, whose inhabitants have long known and appreciated beneficial features chard. Aristotle mentioned chard in his writings back in the 4th century BC. e. With its English name ( Chard) Swiss chard owes its debt to the Spanish artichoke ( Cardoon) with thick stems.
- Strengthens bones and teeth. Many dark green leafy vegetables are beneficial for bone health due to their abundance of the mineral calcium. People with lactose intolerance should increase their intake of these vegetables, including Swiss chard (101 mg calcium per cup). Magnesium and vitamin K also contribute to the health of bones and teeth. Chard can be safely recommended for the prevention of osteoporosis.
- Prevention of anemia. The high iron content in these variegated leaves helps the formation of new blood cells, protects the health of the cardiovascular system, and prevents the development of anemia. And the presence of vitamin K ensures normal blood clotting, prevents internal bleeding and bruising.
- Normalizes blood sugar levels. The fiber and syringic acid in chard leaves help control blood sugar levels. Diabetics are advised to increase the proportion of leafy vegetables, including chard, in their diet.
- Anti-cancer properties. The abundance of antioxidants and fiber make this vegetable an excellent preventative against colon cancer.
- For hair. Swiss chard contains vitamins A and C, which help our body produce sebum, a natural hair conditioner that nourishes and protects hair follicles.
- For the brain. Vitamin K and a wide range of B vitamins allow chard to have beneficial effects on our brain and nervous system.
- For eyes. Human vision needs lutein and zeaxanthin to protect against oxidative stress and prevent diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts.
- For the heart and blood vessels. Research has shown that chard leaves contain 13 different polyphenols, including kaempferol, a heart-protecting flavonoid. It is also found in broccoli white cabbage and strawberries.
- Cleansing properties provide the purple and yellow pigments of the plant under the common name betalains. Scientists have found 9 active pigments in purple chard stems, including betanin, isobetanin, betanidin and isobetanidin. The listed substances have not only anti-inflammatory, but also cleansing properties and provide detoxification of the body in 2 steps.
Nutritional value
Beetroot contains many vitamins: A, C, E, B1 – B3, B5, B6, folic acid(vitamin B9), vitamin K and biotin. The range of minerals is also impressive: magnesium, manganese, potassium, iron, copper, calcium and zinc.
But the main thing is the amazing variety of antioxidants, the benefits of which you have probably already heard about. This includes beta-carotene, vitamin E, and ascorbic acid, as well as lutein, zeaxanthin, quercetin, kaempferol, zinc and many others.
The dietary value of chard is due to its low calorie content, lack of cholesterol and saturated fat.
Possible harm
Chard contains some oxalates. They crystallize in the body and can cause problems, especially in people with kidney or gallbladder disease.
Can you eat Swiss chard raw? This question is asked quite often, especially by people unfamiliar with chard.
Of course you can! Add leaves to salads, pasta, omelettes and pies, decorate your table with colorful leaves! With this vegetable crop go well together olive oil, garlic and lemon juice.
- two-year herbaceous plant, a subspecies of common beet, belonging to the subfamily Chenopodiaceae of the amaranth family. Distribution area: middle and southern latitudes of Europe. There are many varieties that vary in stem color (white, yellow, pale green and dark green) and leaf texture, which can be curly or smooth. This article will discuss the best chard varieties for growing in open ground.
Did you know?The cultivation of chard began in Ancient Rome, whereas the root crops of beets began to be eaten much later, only in the 10th century.
Chard "Lucullus"
Chard variety "Lucullus" has the following description: mid-season variety with thick pale green petioles up to 25 cm long and a rosette of large, highly raised, highly vesicular leaves. The "Lucullus" variety is planted in April or late autumn. The mass of the productive part of the plant is from 500 g to 1200 g. It takes 3 months from plant germination to ripeness. 
Important! The leaves of chard "Lucullus" contain a large amount of vitamin K, an excess of which in the human body can cause thrombophlebitis, blood viscosity, and varicose veins.
Chard "Scarlet"
A two-year hybrid, resistant to flowering in the first year of vegetation, produces the first harvest 35-40 days after planting, and becomes completely ripe in 90 days. Chard "Scarlet" has a spreading green-purple rosette of bubbly leaves up to 60 cm in size. The petioles have a crimson hue, they reach 25 cm in length, they are juicy and aromatic. The variety is characterized by high productivity: from 1 m2 in open ground you can collect up to 6 kg of petioles and leaves. in greenhouses - up to 10 kg. 
Important!Aloe chard contains oxalic acid, so you need to boil it a little before using it. This should be done for people who have problems with the kidneys and gall bladder.
Chard "Red"
A mid-season variety with red leaves, frost-resistant, moisture-loving, and can grow on any soil. Swiss chard "Red" contains vitamins C, B1, 33, carotene, it is rich in mineral salts and proteins. Drinking "Red" chard juice allows you to dilate blood vessels, cleanses the liver and kidneys, forms red blood cells, improves memory, and slows down the aging process. Salads and soups are prepared from the leaves and petioles. It grows quickly and requires regular pruning. 
Chard "Emerald"
Chard "Emerald" is an early-ripening variety with a large rosette of leaves, a dark green bubbly leaf plate and a petiole up to 30 cm. The time from germination to the start of harvesting is 70 days. Multiple cuttings are allowed. Salads are made from leaf beets of the "Emerald" variety, the leaves are stewed and pickled. 
Chard "Argentata"
Chard "Argentata" is a variety that forms a powerful bush of many large leaves on wide and fleshy white petioles. The variety bears fruit for a very long time - from early June until late autumn. You can cut leaves and petioles several times during the growing season; the green mass is restored very quickly after each cutting. The best soils for Argentata chard there will be loose and fertile loams. 
Chard "Spinach"
An early-ripening domestic variety that forms a large rosette of tender, juicy, fleshy leaves. It is characterized by high frost resistance; it is undesirable to grow in acidic soils, grows best on light and fertile loamy soils. Feature of this variety Swiss chard The point is that sowing of Spinach chard should be done at soil temperatures up to 20 °C. To protect yourself from spring frosts, you can plant in three stages - May, July and October; to speed up seed germination, before sowing, they need to be soaked in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. 
Did you know?"Spinach" chard root contains a large amount of sugar, which was previously extracted by boiling. Much later, sugar began to be produced from beets.
Chard "Belovinka"
Chard "Belovinka" is a light-petioled domestic variety of leaf beet, intended for open and protected soil. Chard "Belovinka" is a mid-season variety; 83 days pass from germination to ripening. In open ground you can get up to 5 kg per 1 m2, in protected ground - up to 9 kg. The leaves can be used as salad greens, and the petioles for hot dishes. 
Important!Eating Belovinka chard is beneficial for diabetes, anemia, high blood pressure, improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system, and also speeds up metabolism.
Chard "Curly"
Chard beets of this variety are mid-season. It has highly bubbly leaves and wide white petioles. Grows best in loose soils, loves plenty of sunlight, needs regular thinning by 30-40 cm. If the owner plans to remove leaves from the “Curly” chard repeatedly, the plants in the rows should be left at a distance of 25 cm. 
