How To Harvest And Store Swiss Chard

Harvesting and storing Swiss chard is easy once you know a few simple tricks.

Swiss chard is one of the most forgiving leafy greens you can grow.

It’s also one of the easiest to harvest and store Swiss chard so it stays crisp and tasty for weeks.

If you’ve ever wondered how to harvest and store Swiss chard without it turning into a slimy mess, you’re in the right place.

In this post, we’ll cover the best time to pick your chard, the proper cutting technique, and the smartest ways to store Swiss chard for both short-term and long-term use.

Let’s dig in.

 

Why Harvesting Swiss Chard Correctly Matters

Harvesting Swiss chard correctly matters more than you might think.

When you harvest Swiss chard the right way, the plant keeps producing new leaves all season long.

If you cut it wrong, you can damage the crown and stop future growth.

The goal is to harvest Swiss chard in a way that encourages regrowth, not just for today’s meal but for the next several weeks.

So, how do you actually harvest Swiss chard without ruining the plant?

It’s simpler than you’d expect.

 

1. Know When Your Swiss Chard Is Ready to Harvest Swiss Chard

You can start to harvest Swiss chard as soon as the leaves are about six inches long.

Baby chard leaves are tender and perfect for salads.

Mature leaves are bigger, heartier, and great for cooking.

The key is to harvest Swiss chard regularly so the plant doesn’t bolt or turn bitter.

If you’re wondering about the best time of day to harvest Swiss chard, go for early morning.

The leaves are fully hydrated and crisp at that time.

Avoid harvesting Swiss chard in the heat of the afternoon because the leaves will be wilted and less flavorful.

 

2. Use the Right Cutting Method to Harvest Swiss Chard

The right way to harvest Swiss chard is to cut the outer leaves first.

Leave the inner leaves and the growing crown alone.

Grab the leaf stem near the base and use clean scissors or a sharp knife to cut it about two inches above the soil.

Don’t pull or yank the leaves off because that can tear the plant.

When you harvest Swiss chard using this method, the plant will quickly send up new growth.

That means you can harvest Swiss chard again in just a week or two.

 

3. Keep Harvesting Swiss Chard Throughout the Season

Swiss chard is a cut-and-come-again crop.

This means the more you harvest Swiss chard, the more it produces.

Don’t be shy about picking leaves often.

Regular harvesting keeps the plant young and prevents it from getting tough.

If you let your Swiss chard go too long without harvesting, the leaves get large, woody, and bitter.

So make it a habit to harvest Swiss chard every few days once the plant is established.

 

How to Store Swiss Chard So It Stays Fresh

Now that you know how to harvest Swiss chard, let’s talk about storing Swiss chard properly.

Storing Swiss chard correctly is what separates crispy greens from a sad, wilted pile.

Swiss chard is highly perishable because it’s full of water.

So how do you store Swiss chard to keep it fresh for as long as possible?

Here are the steps that work best.

 

1. Wash and Dry Swiss Chard Before Storing Swiss Chard

The first step to storing Swiss chard is to give it a good rinse.

Fill a bowl with cold water and swish the leaves around to remove dirt and grit.

Swiss chard loves to hide soil in its ribbed stems.

After washing, dry the leaves thoroughly.

Moisture is the enemy when you store Swiss chard, as extra water speeds up rot.

Use a salad spinner or pat the leaves dry with a clean kitchen towel.

 

2. Wrap Swiss Chard in Paper Towels for Short-Term Storage

For short-term storage, take your dry Swiss chard and wrap it loosely in a damp paper towel.

Place the wrapped chard in a plastic bag or an airtight container.

Leave the bag slightly open to allow for airflow.

This method helps you store Swiss chard in the fridge for up to five to seven days.

The moisture from the paper towel keeps the leaves hydrated without making them soggy.

 

3. Use the Stem-and-Leaf Trick to Store Swiss Chard Longer

If you want to store Swiss chard for more than a week, separate the stems from the leaves.

The stems take longer to go bad than the delicate leaves.

Store Swiss chard stems in one container and the leaves in another.

This way, you can use the leaves first and save the stems for later.

It’s a simple trick that makes storing Swiss chard way more efficient.

 

4. Keep Swiss Chard in the Crisper Drawer

The best spot to store Swiss chard is in the crisper drawer of your fridge.

The crisper drawer maintains a higher humidity level, which is perfect for leafy greens.

Just make sure the chard is dry and wrapped before you place it inside.

If you store Swiss chard correctly in the crisper, it can stay fresh for over a week.

 

Can You Freeze Swiss Chard for Long-Term Storage?

Yes, you can absolutely freeze Swiss chard if you have more than you can eat.

Freezing is the best way to store Swiss chard for months.

But you can’t just toss raw chard in the freezer.

Blanching is essential before freezing Swiss chard.

Here’s why.

 

1. Blanch Swiss Chard Before Freezing

Blanching stops the enzymes that cause chard to lose color, texture, and flavor.

To blanch and then freeze Swiss chard, bring a pot of water to a boil.

Add the chard leaves and stems for two to three minutes.

Then immediately plunge them into a bowl of ice water.

This locks in the green color and preserves the nutrients.

 

2. Pack and Freeze Swiss Chard in Portions

After blanching and cooling, squeeze out any extra water.

Then pack your Swiss chard into freezer bags or airtight containers.

Press out as much air as possible before sealing.

Label the bags with the date so you know how long they’ve been stored.

Frozen Swiss chard can last up to a year this way.

 

3. Use Frozen Swiss Chard Straight From the Freezer

When you’re ready to use it, there’s no need to thaw.

Just toss the frozen Swiss chard directly into soups, stews, or sautés.

It’s a convenient way to store Swiss chard and always have greens on hand.

 

So, How to Harvest and Store Swiss Chard?

Harvesting and storing Swiss chard is simple once you follow the right steps.

You harvest Swiss chard by cutting the outer leaves regularly, and you store Swiss chard by keeping it dry, cool, and wrapped in the fridge.

For long-term storage, Swiss chard can live in your freezer for months after a quick blanch.

So if you’ve got a thriving chard plant, don’t let it go to waste.

Now you know exactly how to harvest and store Swiss chard for maximum freshness and flavor.

Happy harvesting.