Chard cultivation, care and use

Application and contraindications

The ancient Romans knew about the beneficial properties of chard. They used it as a laxative. The leaves and petioles contain a large amount of vitamins and microelements (potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, vitamins C, B, B2, PP, carotene, carbohydrates).

Many experts recommend using this vegetable for spring beriberi. Also, the plant helps with diseases of the liver, intestines and cardiovascular system.

Speaking about the beneficial properties of the culture, it is important to note the anti-inflammatory effect. Boiled leaves are used as compresses for burns and abrasions. It is often used as an adjuvant in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, cancer, radiation sickness, hepatitis and neuroses. The beneficial properties of these succulent leaves are also applicable in cosmetology for face and hair care. Chard juice is used to remove freckles and treat hair loss.

Chard can be eaten raw or cooked. The entire ground part of the plant - petioles and leaves - is suitable for cooking. Beets can be pickled, cooked, stewed. It is often added to soups and salads, such as vinaigrette. If you stew chard in butter, you get an excellent side dish for meat. This product tastes like spinach and sorrel. A noticeable acidity is given by vitamin C, which is contained here in large quantities.

There are practically no contraindications to the use of chard. In rare cases, individual intolerance may develop. In addition, you need to carefully apply fresh juice from the leaves. It contains a high concentration of volatile substances which are known to be hazardous. With abuse of juice, nausea, decreased heart rate, vomiting, drowsiness, and a decrease in blood pressure may occur.

Landing

To get beautiful leaves of rich green color with scarlet, yellow and orange petioles, you need to know a few basic rules of growing and care. Mangold is a two-year-old culture and is planted with seeds. To get a good harvest, experts advise not to rush to the spring planting and make sure that the night frosts have already receded. Although, in general, the plant tolerates a temperature drop below + 5 ° satisfactorily. It is recommended to plan sowing seeds at the beginning of May. Beetroots, like ordinary beets, love sunny areas, so choose the lightest spot in your garden for growing.

For planting, you need to prepare the ridges. Row spacing should be at least 35 centimeters. The seeding depth is 2-3 centimeters. The first shoots appear in 3 weeks. Like other crops, chard requires thinning. When the first 2-3 sprouts appear on the surface of the earth, they break through, leaving 30 centimeters of free space. To get vigorous and succulent leaves, you need to pay attention to the properties of the soil.The culture loves fertile soils with a sufficient percentage of compost and a neutral pH level.

Video "Mangold - Russian beet"

Care

Watering plays a major role in the cultivation and care of chard. The moisture level must be monitored very carefully. This culture loves moisture, but at the same time reacts equally badly to both its lack and excess. Watering should be planned based on the existing climatic and weather conditions. Caring for chard also includes loosening the soil. This technique allows you to saturate the earth with oxygen and accelerate its delivery to the roots. If you plan the care correctly, then after 2 months you will be able to enjoy this healthy and tasty product.

During the cultivation of beets, you can do top dressing. Mineral fertilizers are applied in a low concentration - 0.5 teaspoons of the drug per 10 liters of water. This amount of the mixture is enough to process 1 square meter. Be careful with nitrogen fertilization. They are introduced in strictly limited quantities at the beginning of the growing season. Experts draw the attention of gardeners to the property of chard to accumulate nitrates during cultivation. The compulsory care program also includes breaking off the peduncles.

Reproduction

This culture is propagated by seeds. Testes ripen in the second year. When they begin to dry out, they are cut and hung in a well-ventilated place to dry completely. Then the seeds are separated from the tops and packed in paper bags.

In most cases, the cultivation is planned in the spring, but if you live in a region with warm winters, you can practice sub-winter planting in order to get fresh leaves filled with useful elements in the spring. In the case of a cold climate and lingering cold weather, it makes sense to prepare seedlings on the windowsill, so that later you do not have to wait for the germination of seeds for a long time.

Diseases

Speaking about the cultivation and care of Swiss chard, one cannot ignore the topic of diseases and pests. Most of all, this culture is susceptible to powdery mildew attacks. This fungal disease affects young stems.

A white coating appears on them, similar to flour. Timely cleaning of the area from dry and rotten tops, as well as moderate watering, helps to avoid such a misfortune. If you notice fungus on the stems, remove them and discard them away from the planting to prevent the spread of the disease.

With excessive watering and acidic soils, a disease such as root beetle can develop. The timely introduction of potassium supplements helps to overcome the disease. Among the pests of chard, earthen fleas and beet aphids are affected. To combat them, the beds are sprinkled with a mixture of wood ash and tobacco, and irrigation is also done with onion tincture. For 10 liters of water, you need 300 grams of onions. All these products have deterrent properties and do not harm the plant itself.

Video "Sowing Swiss chard"

From the video you will learn how to plant Swiss chard or beetroot, as it is sometimes called.