Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris) or just “chard,” is a vegetable grown for its leafy greens. The plant is one of several cultivars of the beet. The leaf blades are generally red, green, yellow, orange or a combination. Varieties are often mixed together – leading to the “rainbow” chard moniker.
Some varieties have large leaf stalks and others much smaller ones. Using the larger leaf stalk types for cooking or for fresh eating involves separating the leaf blades from the stalk. The stalk and blade is prepared separately. The entire leaf is used at once with those cultivars that have smaller stalks.
Chard has been used in culinary applications for hundreds of years and has picked up many common names including beet spinach, seakale beet, silver beet, leaf beet, and perpetual spinach. The plant’s leaves are highly nutritious which makes its ideal for those following healthy diets.
Looking to add chard to your veggie patch? Use our growing, care, and harvesting guides down below to get started. Happy gardening!
Looking for a cool-season veggie that you can grow in a container? Swiss chard lends itself nicely to potting since it doesn’t mind crowded roots and isn’t too demanding. This guide will walk you through selecting a container, planting seeds or transplants, taking care of your crop, and troubleshooting pesky problems.
Midsummer’s heat can be tough on leafy green production, with many types developing a bitter flavor when they bolt in hot temperatures. But you can still enjoy a steady harvest of tender leaves with a late crop of cool season Swiss chard. Read more to learn all about how to grow your own for delicious fall harvests.
Are you looking for the best companion plants for your Swiss chard? Whether you want them to deter pests, add nutrients to the soil, or serve as a living mulch, some excellent options are available that may help your chard to thrive. Discover the top garden buddies for these tasty and colorful leafy greens now.
Chard makes a nutritious and colorful addition to your vegetable patch. This leafy green is easy to grow and there are lots of varieties to choose from. With different flavors, textures, and colors you’re sure to find a variety perfect for your garden. Learn more about the different types of chard with our 9 top picks.
Are you interested in expanding your repertoire of leafy green vegetables in the garden? Then colorful Swiss chard is for you. Cold and heat tolerant, it produces multiple harvests per season, and can be eaten cooked and raw in a variety of dishes. Learn how to cultivate it in your garden, here on Gardener’s Path.