Swiss Chard

Mark

Swiss Chard

Post by Mark »

Anyone growing this for this coming season ?
I have never tried it before but remember seeing a picture on oasis ( think it was Darren Turner )
Will it over winter in the ground or will the frosts kill it.

Adds a bit of colour and ground cover too.
Darren Turner

Re: Swiss Chard

Post by Darren Turner »

Hi Mark,

Yeah it was me.
I have not got any this year.
It does over winter outside foliage dies down but new growth goes a bit leggy it also tends to go to seed and stops looking it best.
Better off just treating it as an annual I think.

Are you gonna go for the orange as well as the red ?
Mark

Re: Swiss Chard

Post by Mark »

I was going to get a mixed pack. I think there are other colours too maybe purple and yellow.............I could be wrong though.

Have you still got the picture Darren ?
Darren Turner

Re: Swiss Chard

Post by Darren Turner »

Purple, that sounds interesting.

This is the only picture I could find Mark.
chard.jpg
Mark

Re: Swiss Chard

Post by Mark »

Thats the one ...Thanks Darren.
turtile

Re: Swiss Chard

Post by turtile »

I grow the Foodhork Giant variety of Swiss Chard. It overwinters but it goes into seed the second year and dies.

Are you growing it for show or are you eating it? Collards taste a little better than chard.
ChrisG

Re: Swiss Chard

Post by ChrisG »

Mark you've gone all 'Montbeliardii' Don on us. You'll be turning your entire into a veg patch next :twisted:
Mark

Re: Swiss Chard

Post by Mark »

:lol: I only wanted to add a bit more colour to the garden in the summer

Anyone growing Parsnips ? :lol:
ChrisG

Re: Swiss Chard

Post by ChrisG »

I must admit to growing some veg: edios, bamboo shoots, cocoa yam leaves, ginger, banana leaves are great for steaming fish in. :><:
Ok so i do put the odd aubergine plant in as fillers again nice fury purple leaves.
Maybe we should have a UKHT cook book.

Oh look 100 posts, or 101 now, took my time getting there.
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tropical-pete
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Re: Swiss Chard

Post by tropical-pete »

I was gonna grow some of the swiss chard last year, and had seeds ready to go but never got round to sowing them, but I guess that means that I have something else I can grow this year :D I have a packet of red seed, and a packet of white seed, and I may get a pack of mixed as well. Do people think they look better in clumps, or as dot plants?

Thanks, take care

Pete
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Re: Swiss Chard

Post by Dave Brown »

Turtile, I think he's just going to look at it. :lol:

I planted out living salad from Sainsbury's last year, and that contained Swiss Chard. The Tortoise didn't like it so it grew and looked quite impessive. Definately an ornamental veggie, with leaves that fit in with a jungly garden :wink:

Pete, a more jungly effect is given by clumps. Always use odd numbers, as even can look like rows..... a 'Montbeliardii' Don-ism :lol: I use 3, 5 or 7. :wink:
Best regards
Dave
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Mark

Re: Swiss Chard

Post by Mark »

Got a mixed pack from Wilcos :D How long is it before you can see what colour its going to be ???
DSCF0942.JPG
I want to use them as dot plants so its not too important.
Darren Turner

Re: Swiss Chard

Post by Darren Turner »

If I remember correctly Mark it's very early indeed.
From the outset you can make out a tinge of colour to the infant stem.
Mark

Re: Swiss Chard

Post by Mark »

Thanks Darren.
Mark

Re: Swiss Chard

Post by Mark »

Darren wasn't kidding !
DSCF0992.JPG
I can make out Red, Orange,Yellow and White.

They are leaning to the light where they were under the bench :roll:
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