Swiss Chard 'Bright Lights'

Remove weeds around the plants regularly to reduce competition for nutrients and water. Take care not to disturb the shallow roots of the plants.

• Swiss Chard prefers a sunny spot, but it can tolerate partial shade, especially during warmer months.
• Chard thrives in moist, fertile, well-drained soil. If your soil is heavy or clay-like, improve drainage with compost or organic matter.
• Enrich the planting area with well-rotted compost or a balanced fertiliser to provide the nutrients Swiss Chard needs to grow strong and healthy.
• Plant each plug 30cm apart in rows spaced 45cm apart to give the plants room to spread.
• Plant the plugs at the same depth as the root ball, ensuring the crown (where the leaves emerge) is just above the soil surface.
• Gently firm the soil around each plant and water thoroughly after planting.
• For growing in containers, choose a pot with a depth of at least 30cm. Use high-quality compost and at the same spacing as in garden beds.

Caring:

• Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water regularly, especially during dry spells, to encourage lush growth.
• Avoid letting the soil dry out completely, as this can cause the leaves to become tough.
• Feed with a high-nitrogen liquid fertiliser every 2 - 3 weeks to promote leafy growth.
• Mulch around the plants with compost or well-rotted manure to retain moisture and slowly release nutrients.
• Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and keep the soil cool.
• Watch for pests such as aphids and slugs. Use organic methods like companion planting or natural deterrents to protect your crop.
• Ensure good air circulation around the plants to prevent fungal diseases like mildew.

Harvesting:

• Begin harvesting 4 - 6 weeks after planting, once the leaves are large enough to use. Swiss Chard provides a continuous harvest if picked regularly.
• Use scissors or a sharp knife to cut the outer leaves about 2 - 3cm above the base, leaving the inner leaves to continue growing.
• Alternatively, harvest the entire plant by cutting it at the base for a one-time crop.

Please allow us 3-5 working days to dispatch your order. Pre-ordered items will be sent as soon as possible after the date quoted and we'll generally ship your entire order with your pre-ordered items. When your order is dispatched, we'll send you another email with details of how to track it.

Most orders are sent on a fully-tracked courier service with Yodel. To avoid perishable items being stuck at depots and deteriorating, no signature is required, and our courier is asked to leave your order in a safe place on your property.

We'll send a tracking link when we dispatch your order, so you know when its due to arrive. Please note, once delivered we cannot be held responsible for loss or theft from your property. If you have any specific delivery instructions, please let us know - there's an option to enter a short message for the courier at the checkout.

Smaller, lighter, single-item orders may be sent through the post with Royal Mail - in which case no tracking is available.

Our experienced nursery team will always send your plants nursery fresh in the perfect condition to thrive when you plant them, so although most plants are very tough and will not be affected by all but the most extreme frosts or heatwaves, we avoid dispatching the most perishable plants if extreme weather is forecast, or over Bank Holiday weekends.

Please note, we cannot guarantee delivery on a certain day or time. Delivery to outlying postcode areas may take 1-2 days longer, dependent on your location.