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I have a row of swiss chard grown last year. This is the first time I have grown it but i beleive it is semi perennial (is this right?). If so I want to keep it going. Unfortunately it is where i plan to plant my early spuds, so naturaly they are in the way.

Is it possible to move the chard to a 'quieter' part of the plot, and if so when would be the best time to do it?

Thanks

Oh dear does no-one know the answer to my query?

I guess no-one has ever needed to move them before then?

Tut tut-how can you ever garden without patience?.

Just re-sow where you want it. Yes it does grow back the second season but then it runs to seed in my experience.

I haven't moved Swiss Chard but I did move some perpetual spinach last autumn. Like you, I wanted to use the ground for something else. I dug it out and had it replanted within 5-10 minutes at the new site. I watered it liberally. For 2-3 days it keeled over and looked as though it was dying. Leaves then started to wither and die so I removed them. After a bit the central portion started sprouting again and we have been eating it over the winter. Not only have they reestablished, but because there is new growth it tastes much sweeter.
So" have a go" is my advice! ;)

Quote from: cleo on January 15, 2006, 19:55:59
Tut tut-how can you ever garden without patience?.

Just re-sow where you want it. Yes it does grow back the second season but then it runs to seed in my experience.

Ooops sorry cleo!  I must learn to have more of that precious resource that is patience.

I suppose i could move a few plants anyway just to see?  I see your point though, i have  plenty of seed left from last year.

One more thing - where does chard fit int a crop rotation? ie which crop group should it be grown with?

Thanks

It belongs to the chenopodiaceae family (beetroot, good king henry, quinoa, spinach, swiiss chard and spinach beet). I put it in with the roots - carrots and parsnips and beetroot.

..and Richard, although it will transplant OK(ish! - as above), it's going to run to seed anyway this year, so sow some more in the spring & if space is at a premium, better to forego the transplanted stuff. If you'd like some seeds - bright lights & rainbow - let me know?

Quote from: Alishka_Maxwell on January 15, 2006, 22:28:44
..and Richard, although it will transplant OK(ish! - as above), it's going to run to seed anyway this year, so sow some more in the spring & if space is at a premium, better to forego the transplanted stuff. If you'd like some seeds - bright lights & rainbow - let me know?

Thats Ok Alishka. Bright Lights is what i have and have still got plenty of seed from last year (freebies themselves).  Thanks anyway for the offer.  :)

GC, I have seen some of the old chaps on my lottie move their spinach etc.

Thinking logically, so long as the lump of ground round your plants that you dig up is big enough not to disturb the roots, and you press them back in firmly once moved, what might the differenc be?  :-\

I often have to do the unheard of, sometimes it works, sometimes there are casualties, do won't know till you try!!  ;)

Do you want a lot of plants? If not, have you thought of growing then within the flower beds (if you have them). They form an attractive feature.

:D Of course you can move swiss chard if it is not in the right position for the next year!!!
I have done it several years running with no problems. Just make sure that you keep a large root ball of soil to prevent a check to the growth. The benefit is that you can harvest new leaves in late spring and early summer, when there is very little else available. I sometimes cover the chard with a cloche to speed up the growth.By all means, sow a new crop of chard, but it will not be useable till mid to late summer. You can then dig up the old chard that has now gone to seed.