Help! There Are Holes in My Beautiful Swiss Chard Leaves!

Swiss chard is a pretty pest-resistant plant, so you shouldn't face as much pest pressure from creepy crawlies like aphids and cabbage worms as you might with a plant like kale.

That being said, the bigger pests love Swiss chard. Some people even use this plant to attract wildlife. When I built my dream garden right next to a wooded area, I figured deer and rabbits would be the biggest issue, but it's actually been the squirrels. They love to leave me decimated Swiss chard seedlings in the spring.

Short of larger pests completely destroying young plants, you shouldn't have to worry too much about your Swiss chard plants. A couple of holes on your leaves aren't a big deal, and a little pest pressure can actually make your plants even more nutrient-dense (more on that in a bit).

Let's look at what might be causing those holes and what you can do about it.

Where Are the Holes on the Leaves?

The location of the holes on your glossy Swiss chard leaves can tell you what kind of garden pest is munching on 'em. Larger animals like rabbits usually leave holes along the edges as they come along and nibble. If most of the plant has disappeared or been pulled from the soil, it's likely squirrels or deer.

Smaller pests leave holes on the interior of the leaves as they crawl along the undersides and eat their way through. Caterpillars like cabbage worms and cabbage loopers are usually the first thing I suspect when I start seeing holes in the leaves of my Swiss chard plants. Then, there's slugs and snails, which have been known to eat from chard, as well.

The good news is that holes on the leaves of healthy-looking plants are typically not a sign of disease. Unless you see discoloration or changes in the leaf structure, the holes are probably from some kind of animal besides you eating from the plant. That might not sound like good news, but it is, trust me. Disease on plants is much harder to treat than pests.

Now that you have a better idea what’s causing those holes, let’s go over what you can do about it. 

Step One: Don't Stress

Instead of being freaked out that little critters are nibbling on your plants, view it as a positive sign that you’re growing healthy, nutritious produce in a thriving garden. Everything from the smallest of aphids to the most annoying of squirrels is going, “Wow, organic and delicious food—let’s have some!”

Think about it this way: If there were something synthetic or disgusting about your garden that was warning animals to keep their distance, would you really want to eat anything from that garden? As a wise woman at the Nashville farmers' market once told me, “Honey, if the caterpillars don’t want to eat it, it ain’t no good.” 

Sure, we don't want our gardens to be open season for every pest in the county, but we can also grow enough of our favorite plants so that a couple of damaged leaves aren't the end of the world.

Here's another reason not to stress: Swiss chard is a biennial plant. That means it's highly motivated to live for two years before it goes to seed. It's just as determined to get rid of those pests and continue thriving in your garden as you are.

Step Two: Prune Damaged Leaves

As soon as you spot an issue, grab your pruners and cut away the leaves with holes in them. Many pests hang around on the underside of the leaves (look for little caterpillars and even cocoons), so pruning is an easy way to remove the issue. Pests tend to focus on the older leaves of your plants, so the newer leaves at the center of your chard plants usually will be undamaged.

If the damage extends to most of the leaves of a little Swiss chard seedling or its roots, that plant is probably done, as is the case with my seedlings once the squirrels are through with them. Mature plants might be able to regrow even after extensive damage, so you might consider leaving them in the garden for a bit to see if they can recover.

For any leaves that you're pruning, if they look overall healthy except for a couple of holes, take them inside, give them a good rinse, and toss them into your salad bowl. Yes, really. I'll explain why in a bit.

Step Three: Clean the Soil Around the Plant

Use a little hand rake or your fingers to clear the soil around the base of your plants of any fallen leaves and debris so that pests don't have good hiding places. Caterpillars in particular like to hide when it’s hot and then come out to dine at night. This is also the reason I don't recommend using wood mulch in your garden.

Check the stems of your plants for visible pests while you're working. If you see aphids (tons of teeny tiny little pests), give your plants a good spray with a garden hose. This often does the trick.

Step Four: Treat Organically Only If Necessary

If you've gone through the first three steps and still have a problem, you have two options: you could pull the affected plants altogether from your garden so that they can no longer harbor pests, or you could spray Dr. Bronner's castile soap or some garlic barrier oil. That is really all you need.

I’m more of a “let it be” kind of gardener when it comes to pests, so I would usually just add some compost to the base of my Swiss chard plants to support them while they fight off the pests. I only treat when absolutely necessary, even with organic options like castile soap.

How to Prevent Future Pest Issues in Your Garden

The best way to prevent future pest problems on your leafy greens is to cover your raised beds with garden mesh. (Read more about using garden mesh as an effective form of organic pest control.) But here's the thing: you should only cover once you’re confident you’ve removed all of the pests. Otherwise, you’re basically locking the bugs inside their favorite restaurant and removing any threat from their natural predators.

That’s why covering is a great thing to do at the outset of planting to prevent pests, rather than to treat. That's also when Swiss chard plants are at their most vulnerable.

Of course, if squirrels or deer are your problem, a little garden mesh probably won't do much. You might need to consider adding a solid barrier around the raised bed itself or around the entire garden (like a deer fence).

Another way to prevent pest issues is to invite their natural predators into your garden. A bird bath, for example, will invite birds into your garden space, and they could very well take care of your caterpillars for you.

Speaking of creating a little ecosystem in your garden, make sure you're planting a wide variety of plants alongside your Swiss chard. Plants in the allium family—like garlic, onions, and chives—are great at helping to protect leafy greens from pests.

Keep Your Swiss Chard Plants Healthy

To ensure good growth on your Swiss chard plants and maintain the overall health of your garden space, harvest the lower, outer leaves of your leafy greens once a week, even if you're not yet interested in eating those leaves. This keeps the plant growing more upright so that no leaves are touching the soil, which is an invitation to pests.

You also want to remove any leaves that are changing color or look like they're struggling. Get those off of the plant as soon as possible because they're draining energy. These leaves need to go in the trash, not the compost pile. Now the plant will have more energy to put toward growing new leaves.

Make sure your plants stay nicely watered, push a little compost around their base every couple of months, and cover your plants with some shade cloth over hot summers.

Is It Okay to Eat Swiss Chard Leaves with Holes in Them?

Eat the leaves. Pest-affected plants are not just edible, they’re actually better for you.

Here's why: When Swiss chard leaves are attacked by pests, the plant doesn’t just surrender to the invaders. It does its own thing to keep itself alive. Remember, it's highly motivated to make it to that second year so it can produce seeds and ensure the survival of its kind. So what it does is produce even more antioxidants and send more nutrients to the leaves to help fight off the invader. That means there are more vitamins, more of what your body needs, inside those leaves that have been attacked. 

That's why I toss those holy leaves in my salad bowl, and I think you should too! If you're squeamish, just tear off the parts that were damaged or that had cocoons on them.

Don’t Be Discouraged If Pests Are Eating Your Plants

Holes in your leaves are a sign that you’re doing everything right and nurturing a thriving garden that’s filled with all kinds of life. They’re also a sign that you need to get out to your garden every day and harvest those leaves so that you can beat the pests at their own game.

I hope this helps you enjoy your Swiss chard plants for many more months in the garden, if not years.

Thanks for helping to make gardening ordinary again!