SCIENTIFIC NAME: Beta vulgaris

MICRO-FARMING GUIDE

FOR PERMABEDS/SMALL-MED MARKET GARDENS

MESCLUN/BABY LEAF: INTENSIVE SPACING: 12 rows, 56mm apart, spaced every 12mm,

JANG SEEDER: roller, LV12; Gear size, 13front 10back; brush 1-3mm (11 rows) no felt.

TRANSPLANTS: 72 cell flats, 30 days in the nursery

OPTIONAL BED COVER: Plant into Weed Gunnel

SPACING: 2 rows, 45cm spacing on the row, 45cm between the row.

CULTURE: Soil pH should be over 6.0. Cool and mild weather is preferred, though chard has some heat tolerance. Seeds germinate in soil temperatures from 5-38C with an optimum of 30C. Seedlings will tolerate light frosts, and mature plants are hardy to moderate frosts. It may overwinter in mild areas.

TRANSPLANTING: Sow seed in a cold frame or indoors in early spring, about 5-6 weeks before transplanting out after heavy frosts become infrequent. Sow seeds 10mm deep, 2 seeds every 5cm, thin to 10cm apart. Transplant out 10cm apart in rows 30-45 cm apart.

DIRECT SEEDING: Sow beginning midspring and on into midsummer (autumn where winter is mild).

BUNCHING: Sow about 6 seeds/30 cm., 12mm deep, rows 45-60cm apart. Thin to 10-15 cm apart for larger leaves. Cut for bunching at any stage; new leaves will grow.

SALAD MIX: Sow in a 5-10cm wide band, 2.5cm apart, 40 seeds/30cm. Clip in about 5 weeks.

HARVEST: Clip mature leaves individually for home garden or for bunching for market. New leaves will grow multiple harvests. For baby leaf, clip young plants just above the soil. Multiple harvests are possible because the plants will grow new stems and leaves. Commercial growers may want to limit to one harvest to avoid half leaves.

AVG. DIRECT SEEDING RATE: BUNCHING: For bunching: 30g./100m, 100grams./330metres, 2kg./acre at 6 seeds/30cm in rows 60cm apart. For baby leaf: 30g/15metres, 500grams./330metres, 18kg./acre at 40 seeds/30cm. in rows 45cm apart.

DECORTICATED SEED: Decorticated seed has been processed by rubbing to remove angular, corky edges that prevent the seed from flowing evenly through mechanical seeders.

SIZED SEEDS: Standard except where noted.

SEED SPECS: Seeds/500 grams.: 23,700-48,500 (avg. 30,900).

Quick Facts

• Latin Name: Beta vulgaris
• Days To Maturity: 32 baby; 59 bunching
• Life Cycle: Annual