How to intercrop chard
How to intercrop chard
Chard (Beta vulgaris var. cicla) is a variety of beetroot and is a highly appreciated vegetable as it contains vitamins, fibre, folic acid and mineral salts.
The outer leaves of the chard, which are the greenest, contain the greatest amount of vitamins and carotene. It also contains oxalic acid.
You can consume the whole plant including the leaves and stem. The leaves are harvested when they are still small (less than 20 cm).
In cultivation it is preferable to combine this plant with other vegetables in order to favor a series of positive processes and concrete effects for fertility, the fight against certain parasites, etc.
In general, chard can be combined with carrots, onions and cabbage but also with tomatoes, beans (or other legumes), onions, garlic and lettuce.
However, combinations with spinach should be avoided. The crops that can precede chard are: beans, peas and other legumes.
Here are some plants with which chard can be associated, with their relative advantages:
– Tomatoes: Chard can be grown near tomatoes without compatibility problems. Additionally, chard can help protect tomato roots and retain soil moisture.
– Cabbages: Chard can be planted near cabbages. Swiss chard’s broad leaves provide shade to the surrounding soil, reducing water evaporation and keeping the soil moist.
– Beans: Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which can be beneficial for chard. Additionally, bean leaves can provide some shade for young chard seedlings.
– Onions and garlic: These can be planted near chard to repel insect pests. Additionally, they can help reduce pest infestation.
– Lettuce: Lettuce can be a good companion for chard as they require similar growing conditions. They can share space in the garden in harmony.
– Carrots: Carrots can be planted next to chard without incompatibility problems. Furthermore, the presence of chard can help reduce the infestation of carrots by carrot flies.
When intercropping, however, it is always necessary to evaluate the respective pedoclimatic needs and to pay attention to the specific needs of the plants and to carefully observe the cultivation area to determine the best combination of plants to be intercropped.