6 SWISS CHARD – 6.106 - GROWING and SOIL

 
 
ORGANIC FARMING COURSE AGRO-ECONOMY         
6 SWISS CHARD – 6.106 - GROWING and SOIL

 
Costs: The cost of production includes expenses for seeds, water, fertilizers, and labor. On average, you might spend around KES 106,700 per Acre.
Growing Conditions: Swiss chard requires fertile soil and regular watering. It can be grown directly from seeds or started in a nursery bed before transplanting.
How to Grow Swiss Chard
Growing Zones
Swiss Chard grows well in zones 2-10. It’s a great cold weather plant that also tolerates sunny, warm weather.
Sun Requirements
Swiss Chard likes full sun but will tolerate partial shade. I find that if the weather is cooler, full sun is best.
Soil Requirements
Swiss Chard likes fertile, well-composted soil that has good drainage. If your soil is particularly poor, apply a well-balanced fertilizer a week before planting. Chard prefers pH between 6.0-6.5.
When to Plant
Plant your seeds about 2-3 weeks before the last frost date. Continue to plant a handful of seeds every 10 days or so for the first month to ensure you have a continuous supply. You can also plant a crop in the fall 40 days before the first frost date.
Container Planting
Swiss chard grows well in containers, and the benefit is you can place the pot near your kitchen for a quick harvest. Use a good quality container soil mix and slow-release fertilizer specifically for potted plants.
 
Germinating Seeds
You can sow the seeds into the garden or individual pots. Plant seeds in the garden about a half inch deep.
Spacing
Plant rows about 18 inches apart because if all goes well, your Swiss chard will grow big and you’ll need plenty of airflow to help keep disease at bay.
 
Caring for Swiss Chard
 
Fertilizer
Give Swiss chard a side-dressing of well-rotted compost or manure mid-season. You don’t want to apply too much fertilizer to these plants. With Swiss chard, bigger is not always better because some varieties will lose flavour if the leaves get too big. You want to go for deep, bright colour and good condition rather than size.
 
 
Water
Consistent watering is key for Swiss chard. When the weather is hot it will appreciate a good soak, at least 1-2 inches per week. Water the soil around the base of the plant, not the leaves to avoid scorching in the hot sun and you don’t want to encourage disease.
Mulching
Give plants a layer of mulch to help conserve water, particularly in hot areas.
 
Common Problems and Solutions for Growing Swiss Chard
Like most leafy greens, insects love Swiss chard. It can also be susceptible to various diseases and problems. Good soil and garden maintenance will prevent a lot of issues.

planting requirements
1. When planting Swiss chard, choose a location that will receive partial to full sun exposure and plant once the soil is at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It's not necessary to add fertilizer at this point, but you can incorporate about 2 inches of organic matter into the planting area if you prefer. You can grow Swiss chard from seed or as transplants. Plant the seeds about 1 inch deep and about 2 to 6 inches apart. For transplants, space them 6 to 12 inches apart. Once the seeds become seedlings, thin them out to 6 to 12 inches apart. Apply a 1 or 2 inch layer of mulch around the base of the plants to retain soil moisture.
irrigation requirements
1. Swiss chard likes a lot of moisture, but the soil should not be damp, as this can lead to rot and fungal diseases. Water the plants regularly, keeping the soil moist at a depth of 1 inch. Reduce watering in wet weather and increase in hot, dry periods.

 
 
KOZI YA KILIMO HAI KILIMO-UCHUMI
6 MCHICHA - 6.107 - KUKUA na UDONGO
 
Gharama: Gharama ya uzalishaji inajumuisha gharama za mbegu, maji, mbolea na vibarua. Kwa wastani, unaweza kutumia karibu KES 106,700 kwa Ekari.
Masharti ya Kukua: Chard ya Uswisi inahitaji udongo wenye rutuba na kumwagilia mara kwa mara. Inaweza kukuzwa moja kwa moja kutoka kwa mbegu au kuanza kwenye kitalu kabla ya kupandikiza3.
Jinsi ya Kukua Swiss Chard
Kanda zinazokua
Swiss Chard hukua vizuri katika kanda 2-10. Ni mmea mzuri wa hali ya hewa ya baridi ambayo pia huvumilia hali ya hewa ya jua, ya joto.
Mahitaji ya jua
Swiss Chard anapenda jua lakini atastahimili kivuli kidogo. Ninaona kuwa ikiwa hali ya hewa ni baridi, jua kamili ni bora zaidi.
Mahitaji ya udongo
Swiss Chard anapenda udongo wenye rutuba, wenye mboji vizuri ambao una mifereji ya maji. Ikiwa udongo wako ni duni, weka mbolea iliyosawazishwa vizuri wiki moja kabla ya kupanda. Chard anapenda pH kati ya 6.0-6.5.
Wakati wa Kupanda
Panda mbegu zako takriban wiki 2-3 kabla ya tarehe ya mwisho ya baridi. Endelea kupanda mbegu chache kila baada ya siku 10 au zaidi kwa mwezi wa kwanza ili kuhakikisha kuwa una ugavi endelevu. Unaweza pia kupanda mazao katika vuli siku 40 kabla ya tarehe ya kwanza ya baridi.
Upandaji wa Vyombo
Chard ya Uswisi hukua vizuri kwenye vyombo, na faida ni unaweza kuweka sufuria karibu na jikoni yako kwa mavuno ya haraka. Tumia mchanganyiko wa udongo wa chombo chenye ubora mzuri na mbolea inayotolewa polepole mahususi kwa mimea ya vyungu.
 
Kuota Mbegu
Unaweza kupanda mbegu kwenye bustani au sufuria za kibinafsi. Panda mbegu kwenye bustani kwa kina cha inchi nusu.
Nafasi
Panda safu mlalo kwa umbali wa inchi 18 kwa sababu kila kitu kikiendelea vizuri, chard yako ya Uswisi itakua kubwa na utahitaji mtiririko wa hewa mwingi ili kusaidia kuzuia magonjwa.
 
Kutunza Swiss Chard
 
Mbolea
Mpe Swiss chard sehemu ya kando ya mboji iliyooza vizuri au samadi katikati ya msimu. Hutaki kutumia mbolea nyingi kwa mimea hii. Kwa chard ya Uswisi, kubwa sio bora kila wakati kwa sababu aina zingine zitapoteza ladha ikiwa majani yatakuwa makubwa sana. Unataka kwenda kwa kina, rangi mkali na hali nzuri badala ya ukubwa.
 
 
Maji
Kumwagilia mara kwa mara ni muhimu kwa chard ya Uswisi. Wakati hali ya hewa ni moto itathamini loweka nzuri, angalau inchi 1-2 kwa wiki. Mwagilia udongo karibu na msingi wa mmea, sio majani ili kuepuka kuwaka kwenye jua kali na hutaki kuhimiza magonjwa.
Kutandaza
Ipe mimea safu ya matandazo ili kusaidia kuhifadhi maji, haswa katika maeneo yenye joto.
 
Matatizo ya Kawaida na Suluhisho za Kukua Swiss Chard
Kama mboga nyingi za majani, wadudu hupenda chard ya Uswisi. Inaweza pia kuathiriwa na magonjwa na matatizo mbalimbali. Utunzaji mzuri wa udongo na bustani utazuia maswala mengi.