Trouble With Swiss Chard Common Swiss Chard Diseases And Pests

Trouble With Swiss Chard: Common Swiss Chard Diseases And Pests

Swiss chard is generally a trouble-free veggie, but this cousin to the beet plant can sometimes fall prey to certain pests and diseases. ...
Cercospora Leaf Spot – This fungal disease tends to affect lower leaves first.

How do you get rid of Swiss chard bugs?

If you have pests in your swiss chard, you should use any of the tips below to remove the bugs safely. The first thing to do when you see that you have an infestation on your swiss chard is to prune the plant and remove any damaged leaves. Prune damaged foliage, leaving it there will only make the situation worse.

What insect eats Swiss chard?

Everything from slugs, snails, leafminers, leafhoppers, ants, aphids, worms, maggots, whiteflies, and even animals eat chard. If you notice damaged chard leaves, you should suspect that you're dealing with a pest. Chances are that a pesky bug has found its way onto the chard and has now deposited eggs.

Why is my Swiss chard going brown?

Signs of Swiss Chard Disease

Cercospora leaf spot. This fungal infection causes round, gray to brown spots on chard leaves. If the air is humid, the spots will develop a fuzzy outer layer. ... Also fungal infections, these diseases cause a grayish fungal growth on leaves.

How do you get rid of aphids on Swiss chard?

Wipe your chard plant's leaves and stems with your sprayed rag or paper towel. The light trace of soap in the water suffocates and kills the aphids.

Does Swiss chard like full sun?

Swiss chard prefers rich, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. In the North, sow from early spring to midsummer for a fall crop; in the South sow in fall to spring. Sow the seeds 1/2 inch deep in rows spaced 18 inches apart.

Can you eat chard with powdery mildew?

If it is powdery mildew, I would not eat it. While most sources say it is safe to consume, there are some reports of toxicity to humans.

Do slugs eat Swiss chard?

Swiss chard is tempting to slugs, but if the plant is healthy, it will outgrow these battles.

Do ants eat Swiss chard?

Ants love to feed on the honeydew and that is likely what has attracted the ants to the Swiss chard. ... Because the ants want to protect the honeydew food source, they are known to attack the beneficial insects to prevent them have destroying the aphids. So, to get rid of the aphids, you'll need to get rid of the ants.

What is the taste of Swiss chard?

What Does Swiss Chard Taste Like? Swiss chard's leafy green leaves are tender with a bitter taste when eaten raw. Once cooked, the bitterness dissipates, turning into a mild, sweet taste similar to spinach.

Is it OK to eat raw chard?

Swiss chard leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. Raw Swiss chard is less bitter than cooked. ... The stalks are thicker than the leaves so they take longer to cook. Chop the stalks into 1 inch pieces.

How can you tell if Swiss chard has gone bad?

How to tell if Swiss chard is bad or spoiled? Swiss chard that is spoiling will typically become soft and discolored; discard any Swiss chard that has an off smell or appearance.

What is the difference between Chard and Swiss chard?

Chard is perhaps most commonly referred to as Swiss chard (which is one varietal), and it's related to beets. Chard greens look similar to beet greens, but unlike beets, the root of chard is inedible. ... White, gold, and red are the most common—Swiss chard is the white-stemmed variety.

Do banana peels keep aphids away?

Natural Pest Repellent

Cut up banana peels to bury 1 to 2 inches deep in the soil around plants that are prone to aphid infestations to repel and remove aphids from the area. ... Orange peels are highly fragrant, giving off a repellent scent to keep ants and aphids away from the garden.

Does vinegar kill aphids?

Get out a spray bottle and fill it 1/3 of the way with distilled white vinegar and the rest of the way with water. This will kill the aphids and larvae on contact. Place a square of aluminum foil around the base of plants affected by aphids.

How do you kill aphids naturally?

HOW TO GET RID OF APHIDS NATURALLY

Remove aphids by hand by spraying water or knocking them into a bucket of soapy water.
Control with natural or organic sprays like a soap-and-water mixture, neem oil, or essential oils.
Employ natural predators like ladybugs, green lacewings, and birds.

How late can you plant Swiss chard?

The best time for Swiss chard fall planting is July 15 through August 15. The exact time will depend on your zone. Areas that expect early freezes should plant earlier and use a hoop house to give the developing plants some shade and keep them from bolting. You may also select a low bolt seed mix.

What is a good companion plant for Swiss chard?

Swiss chard – Beans, Brassicas, and onions make the best companions for chard. Thyme – An all around beneficial plant for the garden, thyme is particularly worth planting near Brassicas (as it repels cabbage moths), and strawberries, as it enhances flavour.

What can I plant near Swiss chard?

Top Chard Companions

Alliums. Alliums have at least two benefits as companion plants. ...
Annual Flowers. There are many types of annual flowers that would be excellent neighbors for Swiss chard. ...
Brassicas. Cabbage is widely cited in companion planting literature as a suitable buddy for chard. ...
Celery. ...
Herbs. ...
Legumes. ...
Lettuce.

Does vinegar kill powdery mildew?

Potassium bicarbonate is a contact fungicide which kills the powdery mildew spores quickly. ... Vinegar – Similar to mouthwash, the acetic acid of vinegar can control powdery mildew. A mixture of 2-3 tablespoons of common apple cider vinegar, containing 5% acetic acid mixed with a gallon of water does job.

Will powdery mildew go away on its own?

The Basics of Powdery Mildew

They need the plant's nutrients to survive. And unlike most types of fungi, they cause more severe cases of disease in warm, dry weather. A mild case may go away on its own.

What's wrong with my Swiss chard?

Fungal Swiss chard diseases are the most common culprits responsible when your plants fall ill in the garden. Cercospora Leaf Spot – This fungal disease tends to affect lower leaves first. ... You may also need to thin out the Swiss chard leaves. Water at the base of the plant and avoid wetting the leaves.