Description
It is regarded as a variety of beet without an edible root, and it shares a family with spinach and beets. Additionally, chard may go by a variety of names, including spinach beet, silver beet, leaf beet, seakale beet and white beet. Swiss chard, also known as chard, is a visually appealing vegetable with colorful stalks. Similar to spinach, but less prone to bolt in dry weather, it requires only one sowing to yield several months’ worth of crops.
Mature plants up to two feet in height. Texture/Flora: Large, whole, crinkly leaves that are one to two feet long with an extended, flattened, angular petiole that is frequently brilliantly colored in orange, red, or white. The gritty texture and vibrant color of crinkled spinach leaves on steroids characterize chard leaves.
Habitat
Originating in the Middle East, chard is an ancient and highly beneficial plant. It soon spread throughout the Mediterranean region, where its therapeutic qualities were valued by the ancient Greeks and Romans in addition to its amazing flavor.
Uses
This plant helps lower blood pressure, fight cancer, and improve performance in sports.
Varieties
Swiss chard comes in several types, such as:
‘Five Colour’: Also referred to as ‘Rainbow’, the leaves and stems exhibit a spectrum of colors.
‘Fordhook Giant’: Greenish-white leaves with a strong growth habit and excellent flavor.
“Perpetual”: As the outer leaves are removed, this type rapidly regenerates new leaves and has a taste quite similar to spinach.
Plant Care
Light
While it may tolerate some shade, chard prefers full sun. On most days, four to six hours of direct sunlight is optimum.
Soil
This plant prefers well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. It can handle more neutral soil, although it prefers a pH that is somewhat acidic.
Water
Retain a uniformly moist but not soggy soil. Mulch applied around the plants might aid in keeping the soil moist.
Temperature and Humidity
USDA hardiness zones 6 to 10 are suitable for chard overwintering. However, it will quickly go to seed in its second year because it is still only a biennial in these zones. In zones 3 through 10, it can also be cultivated as an annual. You will lose your plants if the temperature drops below freezing for an extended length of time. It can withstand a little frost. As long as the plants’ moisture requirements are satisfied and there is adequate air circulation surrounding them, humidity usually isn’t a problem.
Fertilizer
Chard plants can be fed with a mid-season manure or compost side dressing. Use an organic vegetable fertilizer according to the directions on the label if your soil is poor.
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