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Learn How To Grow Swiss Chard In An AeroGarden. It’s easier than you might think! If you’ve been wanting to grow your own fresh greens but don’t have outdoor space, an AeroGarden is the perfect solution. Let me show you how to get started with this colorful and tasty veggie right in your kitchen.
Growing Swiss Chard In An AeroGarden
Key Takeaways
- Growing Swiss Chard In An AeroGarden is simple and rewarding.
- Start with any Swiss Chard variety and add seeds in Root Riot plugs.
- Plant in your AeroGarden
- Use a one-part nutrient solution when true leaves appear.
- Harvest side branches continuously for a long-lasting crop of nutritious greens.
How to Grow Swiss Chard in an AeroGarden: A Gardener’s Guide
Growing Swiss chard in an AeroGarden is a fun and rewarding experience. As someone who’s been growing plants all my life, I’m excited to share my tips on cultivating this colorful and tasty leafy green indoors.
Whether you’re new to indoor gardening or looking to expand your AeroGarden crops, this guide will help you get started with Swiss chard.
Choosing Your Swiss Chard Seeds
When I decided to grow Swiss chard in my AeroGarden, I picked a variety called Rainbow Mix Swiss Chard Seeds. It’s supposed to have stems in different colors, which I thought would be interesting. But any variety will work.
100+ Heirloom Rainbow Mix Swiss Chard Seeds – Non-GMO, Easy to Grow, Delicious and Nutritious
Here’s what you need to know about Swiss chard seeds:
- They’re compound seeds, meaning each one can produce multiple plants.
- You might see several plants sprouting from a single seed.
- Swiss chard seeds are nearly identical to beet seeds – the main difference is that Swiss chard doesn’t grow a large root like beets do.
If you like beet greens, you’ll probably enjoy Swiss chard. I actually prefer it to spinach. It’s got a great flavor and is packed with nutrients.
Setting Up Your AeroGarden for Swiss Chard
AeroGarden Harvest 2.0, Indoor Garden Hydroponic System with LED Grow Light, Holds up to 6 AeroGarden Pods, Black
To get your Swiss chard growing, you’ll need to set up your AeroGarden properly. Here’s what I did:
1. I used Root Riot plugs instead of the standard AeroGarden baskets. These plugs are made of a spongy peat substance and fit perfectly in the AeroGarden holes.
2. The plugs have a small hole on top, making it easy to plant any type of seed.
3. This setup gives you more flexibility than using only AeroGarden’s seed pods.
The Root Riot plugs keep the seeds moist, which helps them germinate well. It’s a simple but effective way to start your Swiss chard.
Root Riot Plant Starter Plugs – 50 Cubes
Feeding and Caring for Your Swiss Chard
Once your Swiss chard seeds sprout, it’s time to think about feeding them. Here’s what I’ve learned:
– For the first week or so, the sprouts don’t need much food. They get what they need from the seed itself.
– When you see the first set of true leaves (not the initial seed leaves), start fertilizing lightly.
– I use a one-part nutrient solution called TPS 1 for my Swiss chard.
Remember, young plants are delicate, so it’s better to under-fertilize than over-fertilize at first. You can always add more nutrients as the plants grow bigger and stronger.
The AeroGarden comes with nutrients included. I used mine up and am using TPS One instead.
TPS-One Liquid One Part Plant Nutrient from Veg to Bloom, for Lush Growth and Dense Flowers by TPS Nutrients, 1 Quart (32 oz)
2 Week Update
These plants are actually 13 days old. I did not remove the extra plants in each plug and they are flopping over so I used a zip tie inserted in each Root Riot to support them.
Rainbow Swiss Chard Week 3 Update
The plants have grown and I have not thinned them out. So there are multiple plants in each plug.
The leaves are starting to show crinkles and soon I will thin them to single plants. This should result in larger leaves for the remaining plants.
Harvesting Your Swiss Chard
One of the great things about growing Swiss chard is how long you can harvest from a single plant. Unlike spinach, which is often a one-and-done crop, Swiss chard keeps on giving:
- You can continuously harvest side branches from your Swiss chard plants.
- This allows for a longer harvest period from the same plants.
- While I’m not sure exactly how long it’ll take before my first harvest, I expect it to be fairly quick in the AeroGarden.
I’ll be keeping an eye on my plants and will update you on their progress. It’s always exciting to watch them grow and change day by day.
How To Grow Swiss Chard In An AeroGarden Conclusion
Wrapping Up Your Swiss Chard Adventure
Growing Swiss chard in an AeroGarden is a great way to have fresh, homegrown greens right in your kitchen.
It’s easy, fun, and gives you a steady supply of nutritious leaves for your meals.
Why not give it a try? You might be surprised at how simple and rewarding it can be to grow your own food indoors.
Remember, every plant is an adventure. So keep it green, and happy gardening!
Let’s recap what we’ve learned:
Seed Selection and Planting
Remember to choose a variety like Rainbow for colorful stems, and use Root Riot plugs for easy planting.
Feeding and Care
Start with light fertilization when true leaves appear, using a one-part nutrient solution like TPS 1.
Harvesting Tips
Enjoy continuous harvests by picking side branches as needed.
Key Takeaways:
• Swiss chard seeds can produce multiple plants from one seed
• Root Riot plugs fit perfectly in AeroGarden holes
• Start fertilizing lightly when true leaves appear
• Harvest side branches for a long-lasting crop
Growing Swiss chard indoors is a great way to have fresh greens at your fingertips. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to becoming an indoor gardening pro. Happy growing!
Read more: Indoor Apartment Gardening: 15 Point Comprehensive Guide