60 days. [Originally from Australia, more recent selection by Siskiyou Seeds.] A real rainbow – stalks in vivid shades of orange, pink, white, yellow, and red, with some striping. Also selected for resistance to leaf miners and upright leaves.

Beta vulgaris
Packet: 4 g (approximately 200 seeds) sows 25’.

Leaf stems are edible as well as leaves. A few plants of Swiss chard will provide a large supply of greens throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Can withstand light frosts; mulching around plants may help plants overwinter in areas with mild winters. Planted from early to late spring, or again in the fall.

How to Grow: Sow seeds 1/2 to 3/4 in. deep and thin to 12-16 in. apart.

Harvest: Clip off leaves near the base of the plant.

Cooking: Excellent when stir-fried, or used in creamed soups or quiche. Freezes well.

Greenhouse Notes: Swiss chard is an ideal plant for solar greenhouses, where it may be grown as a perennial.

Pests: In the Southeast, blister beetles may attack chard in mid-summer. Pick off beetles (wear gloves!), or pull up plants and wait to replant for fall.

Seed Savers: Isolate varieties by a minimum of 1/4 mile for home use. For pure seed isolate by 1/2 to 1 mile. Will cross readily with beets.