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Pick two or three seeds to see how they grow, side by side: sprouting, spacing, sun, water, frost and pet safety in one table.

Comparing Swiss Chard vs. Acorn Squash vs. Artichoke

The comparison

Swiss Chard vs. Acorn Squash vs. Artichoke

Units
Growing facts for Swiss Chard, Acorn Squash and Artichoke, side by side
Fact
Swiss ChardBeta vulgaris var. cicla
Acorn SquashCucurbita pepo
ArtichokeCynara cardunculus var. scolymus
DifficultyEasyEasyChallenging
Life cycleNot yet verifiedAnnualNot yet verified
Germination time7–14 daysNot yet verified8–12 days
Germination temperature13–24 °C55–75 °FNot yet verified21–26 °C70–79 °F
Sowing depthNot yet verifiedNot yet verified6 mm¼ in
Spacing between plantsNot yet verifiedNot yet verified46 cm18 in
Days to maturity50–70 days from sowingNot yet verifiedNot yet verified
SunFull sun, partial shadeFull sunFull sun
WaterModerateModerateNot yet verified
Frost toleranceHalf-hardy (light frost)Not yet verifiedNot yet verified
Soil pHpH 6.0–8.0pH 6.0–8.0pH 6.5–8.0
Toxicity to catsNon-toxicNon-toxicNot yet verified
Toxicity to dogsNon-toxicNon-toxicNot yet verified
Links
How to grow swiss chardRemove swiss chard
How to grow acorn squashRemove acorn squash
How to grow artichokeRemove artichoke

Up close

Meet the seeds

What each one is, in a few lines, with the full growing guide one click away.

  • Swiss chard plants with red stems and veins growing in a raised garden bedVegetables

    Swiss Chard

    Beta vulgaris var. cicla

    Difficulty: Easy

    Swiss chard is a leafy green with colorful stalks that sprouts in 7 to 14 days and grows in full sun or partial shade.

    How to grow swiss chard
  • Acorn squash growing on the vine among large leaves and a yellow flower in a garden bedVegetables

    Acorn Squash

    Cucurbita pepo

    Difficulty: Easy

    Acorn squash is a sprawling annual vine that prefers full sun and moderately moist soil. It is easy to sow from seed when the soil is warm, and it is non-toxic to cats and dogs.

    How to grow acorn squash
  • Globe artichoke buds growing on tall plants in a sunlit garden bedVegetables

    Artichoke

    Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus

    Difficulty: Challenging

    Globe artichokes are large, thistle-like plants grown for their edible flower buds. They need full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Seed results are variable, so many growers start with plants or divisions.

    How to grow artichoke

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The table, row by row

How to read a comparison

Every row is a fact from each seed's own profile, lined up so the differences stand out.

  1. Sprouting

    Germination time and temperature

    How many days the seeds take to sprout, and the temperature range they sprout in.

  2. Sowing

    Sowing depth and spacing

    How deep to sow each seed and how far apart the plants should grow. “On the surface” means the seed isn't covered.

  3. Timing

    Days to maturity and life cycle

    How long until the plant is ready, counted from sowing or from transplanting (each value says which). Annuals live one year, biennials two, perennials longer.

  4. Light and water

    Sun and water

    Full sun means 6 or more hours of direct sun a day, partial shade a few hours. Water needs are rated low, moderate or high.

  5. Space and weather

    Containers, frost tolerance and soil pH

    Whether it grows in a pot, with the smallest pot when it's known. Frost tolerance runs from tender (no frost) to hardy. Soil pH 7 is neutral.

  6. Pets

    Toxicity to cats and dogs

    Whether the plant is toxic to cats and dogs.

Quick wins

Fastest to sprout

Days from sowing until the first shoots appear, in good conditions.

Pet friendly

Safe around cats and dogs

Listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs. Each seed's page has the details.

Not safe for pets: borage, buckwheat, caraway, carnation and 14 more.

Comparing

Questions about comparing

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Where do the facts come from?
From each seed's profile. Every fact there is researched and reviewed by our editors before it goes live.
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