Hi Lisa-

Swiss chard has been pretty easy for me to grow. I've had the best luck with presoaking the seeds overnight before I plant them. I direct sow (though I think I did them in pots one year and they transplanted fine). I either thin by hand and eat the sprouts or transplant small ones to areas that are open. For sure the original white stemmed one is the fastest to come up and usually the biggest in my experience, but the rainbow swiss chard with different colors of stems looks really pretty in flower beds or vegetable beds. They all taste good to me.

My vegetable garden is full sun, so I usually finish harvesting by the time it starts to get hot, but from reading other people's experience it sounds like they might last longer if they get some shade in the afternoon.

I'm not really particular about planting depth for seeds. I just kind of draw a dent in the dirt and put the seed down and cover it up. Keep it moist until it starts to sprout and when they're starting to come up.

Hope this helps-

Lisa

Thank you very much.