How to Collect Swiss Chard Seeds

S(caps)wiss chard seed saving is a time-honored activity. Not sure how to do it? Keep reading to learn how to collect and store swiss chard seeds the simplest way!

Swiss chard is closely related to beets, and therefore is a member of the Chenopodiaceae family. B. vulgaris, plants are biennials, so they require two seasons to produce seed. Also, they are wind-pollinated. Chard produces seed stalks similar to beets. Swiss chard reaches a height of 1 to 2 feet, and is relatively easy to sow from seed or transplants. You can grow chard nearby lettuce and spinach. Swiss chard must be planted early in the season, as the seedlings are tolerant to frost. Swiss chard likes organic-rich, well-drained soil and plenty of sun. Once chard reaches its maturity, you’ll need to begin harvesting it's tender leaves.

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The benefit of growing swiss chard is that you can lightly harvest the plant leaves in their first season for food, and then let them produce seeds and harvest the seeds to plant sow next growing season.

This is what you need to know how and when swiss chard seeds ae ready to pick?

How to collect swiss chard seeds

The first sign of seed production is bolting (the formation of a tall seed stalk), which happens in late and early spring, and early summer when the temperature starts to rise. Then yellow-green flowers form, followed by seed capsules along the stem.

The seeds at the base of the flower stalks ripen first, and seed maturation continues up the stalks. Seeds change from green to a brown color as they mature. When the stems turn brown, you can begin harvesting.

Once seeds start ripening, there will be a mixture of mature and immature seeds on a single plant. You can harvest  approximately two-thirds of the seeds that are brown i recommended. Swiss chard seeds can be easily stripped by hand as seeds matures.

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Or you can cut the entire plants or pull them from the ground and moved to a place where they can continue drying. Depending on the percentage of ripe seeds at harvest, 7 to 14 days should be a sufficient drying period for the seeds.

How to store swiss chard seeds

• Place harvested seeds in a paper envelope, label the envelope with the seed variety and the date it was harvested.
• Place the envelope in a glass jar and secure with a lid.
• Place the glass jar in a cool, dry place in the house.
• If stored properly chard seeds will remain viable for more than 4 years.

Watch how to collect swiss chard seeds video

Swiss chard is the perfect leafy green for every Fall garden it's delicious, nutritious and easy to grow . If you want to add more lovely and nutritious vegetables to your spring garden? Growing Organic Chard should be on the top of your list!

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