I sow mine direct and I think that's the way it does best. Hardy in our Norfolk climate with no mollycoddling or special treatment. Sow, thin, and pick. Some people cut a whole head at a time; I prefer to take individual leaves from all the plants in the row, cutting them at the base of the stem.
There's hardly a month in the year that I've not got some growing somewhere in the garden.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I've got some seeds which I'm tempted to try this year. What puts me off is leaf miners. They've always ravaged my beet leaves which matters less with beets but presumably is pretty crucial with chard!
Last year with my beets, I did religiously pick off the white larvae on an almost daily basis which I guess is the only way?
I love Rainbow Chard, as much for its winter colour as its eating value. It looks lovely in the flower border.
I sow mine direct but have lifted some to give to my daughter for planting in her garden. Seems to transfer quite happily. No bug problems. I use the green leaf as spinach, much milder flavour, and the stems can be cooked as asparagus.
Chard is particularly easy to grow, sow water,pick eat! Swiss chard on toast is too good !! Fry thin slice onion, little bit garlic in little bit of oil, add chopped chard leaves, let them wilt and serve in toast! Mmmmmmm
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I sow mine direct and I think that's the way it does best. Hardy in our Norfolk climate with no mollycoddling or special treatment. Sow, thin, and pick. Some people cut a whole head at a time; I prefer to take individual leaves from all the plants in the row, cutting them at the base of the stem.
There's hardly a month in the year that I've not got some growing somewhere in the garden.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Last year with my beets, I did religiously pick off the white larvae on an almost daily basis which I guess is the only way?
I love Rainbow Chard, as much for its winter colour as its eating value. It looks lovely in the flower border.
I sow mine direct but have lifted some to give to my daughter for planting in her garden. Seems to transfer quite happily. No bug problems. I use the green leaf as spinach, much milder flavour, and the stems can be cooked as asparagus.
Chard is particularly easy to grow, sow water,pick eat! Swiss chard on toast is too good !! Fry thin slice onion, little bit garlic in little bit of oil, add chopped chard leaves, let them wilt and serve in toast! Mmmmmmm