Sow chard outdoors April–July, in a sunny spot or one with light afternoon shade. The earliest sowings are ready to start picking from around June, with harvests continuing for months as outer leaves are cut and the plant regrows.
Last updated 3 July 2026
Chard is one of the most productive and trouble-free crops in the UK garden. Sow for a harvest running from spring right through to the following year.
Ready to start growing? Read our full How to Grow Chard UK →
Sowing dates and growing advice verified against RHS guidance by the SoilCommander Growing Team.
Part of the UK Vegetable Planting Calendar — see all sowing dates and monthly guides.
Chard Planting Calendar
| Task | Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sow outdoors (main crop) | April – July | Direct sow 2cm deep in drills 40cm apart |
| Sow indoors (early crop) | February – March | Modules; transplant after last frost |
| Autumn sow (overwintering) | August – September | For harvests through winter into the following spring |
| Harvest | June – following April | Pick outer leaves; plant keeps producing for months |
Regional Planting Notes
The RHS notes white-stemmed chard varieties "tend to be hardiest and most productive," making them the safer choice for colder UK gardens. In Scotland and other harsh-winter areas, favour a white-stemmed variety such as Fordhook Giant or White Silver over coloured-stem types for overwintering.
Best Chard Varieties
- Rhubarb Chard (AGM) — bright red stalks, dark green puckered leaves.
- Bright Lights (AGM) — rainbow stem colours, mild sweet flavour.
- Fordhook Giant (AGM) — productive, white stems, earthy flavour, good winter hardiness.
- White Silver — classic robust variety, white stems.
Source: RHS chard grow-your-own guide.
Common Chard Mistakes
- Overcrowding standard plantings — RHS spacing is 30cm between plants and 45cm between rows; tighter spacing reduces leaf size and airflow.
- Using cut-and-come-again spacing for a full-size crop — 5cm spacing is only for baby-leaf harvesting, not mature plants.
- Ignoring beet leaf miner damage — larvae tunnel through leaves; RHS advises removing affected foliage promptly rather than leaving it.
- Crowded, humid growing conditions — encourages grey mould and downy mildew; space plants widely for good air circulation.
- Choosing coloured-stem varieties for a hard-winter plot — white-stemmed types are hardiest per RHS; Rhubarb Chard and Bright Lights are less reliable through severe cold.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I sow chard in the UK?
Sow outdoors April to July. Earlier sowings are ready to start picking from around June, and the plant keeps producing new leaves for months.
How far apart should chard be spaced?
RHS spacing is 30cm between plants and 45cm between rows for a full-size crop; for cut-and-come-again baby leaves, sow closer at around 5cm.
Does chard need feeding?
Not usually — RHS notes chard "should grow well in most soils or in fresh potting compost" without additional feeding.
Which chard variety is hardiest for a cold garden?
White-stemmed varieties such as Fordhook Giant and White Silver are the hardiest and most productive, per RHS guidance, making them a safer choice than coloured-stem types in Scotland and other harsh-winter areas.
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