Cabbage is widely cited in companion planting literature as a suitable buddy for chard. Other members of the cabbage family – such as broccoli, kohlrabi, kale, turnips, and radishes – make good neighbors too.
Can you plant Swiss chard and kale together?
Answer: Kale and Swiss chard have similar maintenance needs, so they make very suitable companion plants that can be grown close together or even in the same planter. If you decide to grow the two together in separate containers, choose a pot for each individual plant that’s at least 12 inches wide.
What should not be planted near Swiss chard?
Chard also shouldn’t be planted near potatoes, corn, cucumbers, or melons. All of these will either compete for soil nutrients or foster harmful pests.
What should I plant next to Swiss chard?
Brassicas: Members of the cabbage family (Brassica) are some of the best Swiss chard companion plants. This includes cabbage, Brussels sprouts, turnips, kohlrabi, and collard greens.
What should not be planted near kale?
Avoid planting kale with other brassicas (like broccoli, kohlrabi, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and Swiss chard), as they can fall prey to the same pests and diseases.
What grows best with kale?
Among the veggie plants compatible with kale are:
- Celery.
- Cucumber.
- Lettuce.
- Onion.
- Peas.
- Potatoes.
- Radishes.
- Spinach.
How far apart should kale be planted?
18 to 24 inches apart
Space kale 18 to 24 inches apart in an area with full sun and well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.5 to 6.8. Improve native soil by mixing in several inches of aged compost or other rich organic matter. Kale is a fast grower, so keep the soil moist by giving it 1 to 1.5 inches of water each week.
Does Swiss chard like full sun?
Chard will tolerate partial sun, but grows best in full sun. It prefers a location with moderately fertile, well-draining soil and a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral).
Is Swiss chard invasive?
Swiss chard grows well next to peppermint (Mentha × piperita), hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. If you’re planting mint, however, be aware that it grows aggressively and is considered invasive in some areas.
How far apart should Swiss chard be planted?
Plant seeds one-fourth to one-half inch deep, in rows 18 to 30 inches apart. Thin Swiss chard to four to six inches apart. Thin spinach to two to four inches apart. Use a floating row cover to protect the seedlings from cold weather and insects.
How long does it take Swiss chard to mature?
The leaves are lime-green on white stalks. The leaves grow more than a foot long and near 10 inches wide. It is an open-pollinated variety that is ready to harvest in 50 days. Perpetual is an open-pollinated chard that has tasty, smooth leaves that taste like spinach and are ready to harvest in 50 days.
Can chard grow in shade?
Swiss Chard
Among vegetables, leafy greens are the most tolerant of shade, including kale, lettuce, spinach, arugula and chard. Related to both beets and spinach, Swiss chard tastes a little like both and is fairly easy to grow.
How tall does Swiss chard grow?
Quick Reference Growing Chart
| Plant Type: | Annual or biennial vegetable | Water Needs: |
|---|---|---|
| Spacing: | 12 inches | Avoid Planting With: |
| Planting Depth: | 1/2 inch | Family: |
| Height: | 8-24 inches | Subfamily: |
| Spread: | 9-18 inches | Genus: |
What month do you plant kale?
Kale has a relatively fast growth rate and can grow from seed to harvest in about three months. It is best planted in the late winter or early spring and can also be planted in the late summer for a fall to winter harvest.
Does kale need full sun?
One of the most nutritious shade loving vegetables around, kale thrives in just a few hours of sunlight per day. Kale is also extremely cold tolerant, making it a great crop for fall harvests.
Can you plant basil next to kale?
Companion planting kale will repel some of the common pests that affect the plants. However, for some reason, kale does not enjoy the companionship of basil. The kale will do well with potatoes but will not get along well tomatoes. Additionally,kale will not do well with strawberries.
Does kale regrow after cutting?
Does kale regrow after picking? When kale is harvested carefully, it works as a cut and come again vegetable that grows back to regenerate its leaves for multiple harvests. For your kale to grow back, harvest the oldest leaves first—the ones on the outside of the plant at the base.
Does kale come back every year?
Does kale come back every year? Most kales are biennials, meaning they will take around two years from seedling before they eventually bolt and produce flowers and seeds. However, if you’re growing kale for its harvest of leaves it’s more likely that you’ll replace it every year and it will be more successful that way.
Can kale grow next to tomatoes?
Go ahead and plant tomatoes and kale together. Just make sure you feed them with supplementary fertilizer, because they both want a lot of nitrogen.
Should I cut the flowers off kale?
Should you cut the flowers off kale? Once your kale plant is flowering, cutting off the flowers will not stop the process of bolting. Your plant is at the end of its life cycle and focusing its energy on producing seeds for the next generation of plants.
How do you pick kale so it keeps growing?
Kale is ready to harvest when the leaves are about the size of your hand. Pick about a fistful of outer leaves per harvest, but no more than one-third of the plant at one time. Avoid picking the terminal bud (at the top center of the plant), which helps to maintain the plant’s productivity.
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