Swiss Chard

[roitelet]

I start mine in modules, thin to one plant let it grow a bit and plant it out.

[Penellype]

I hate it. I tried it last year and found that it got shredded by caterpillars and slugs, and the very small amount that was fit to eat was stringy and tasteless. Spinach is hugely superior. I won't be growing chard again.

Each to their own!

[Aberdeenplotter]

I hate it. I tried it last year and found that it got shredded by caterpillars and slugs, and the very small amount that was fit to eat was stringy and tasteless. Spinach is hugely superior. I won't be growing chard again.

Each to their own!

Well I wasn't expecting that response after the positives but great to get a full picture. I do tend to get quite a few slugs on my plot and to that end put nematodes down amongmy brassicas last year so this feedback is important.

[Lisasbolt]

It is very earthy tasting, similar to beetroot leaves. I could not have it by itself but mixed in with other things its lovely

[Lisasbolt]

next year (my 1st year) I am dedicting an 8x4 bed for the chickens. no1 on my list is chard, followed closely by cabbage, you never know I might even get some for the table LOL

I also grow lettuce just for the ladies, it is one of their favourites and they devour within minutes, i over sow the seeds, take out the thinning for salads and some to the girls. Just keep thinning to get full sized lettuce and let the others grow and make use.

[NatalieCooke]

I'll be growing Swiss Chard for the first time next year, no idea if I even like it!

[vixylix]

I'm not a fan - but I've only ever had it from the supermarket. I'm sure (as with everything) that home grown is vastly superior!

[PyreneesPlot]

I love it - grow rainbow chard, the classic thick ribbed white and green perpetual spinach. The leaves are certainly more like beetroot leaves than spinach and it stands right through the winter. Unlike true spinach, it is one of the few plants that doesn't get decimated by my army of slugs, indeed it is one of the leafy plants that I can get away with sowing direct. I have three 1.5m rows
Cooking - leaves go in lasagnes, quiches, curries, buttered under fish, steamed with soy and ginger, stems in stir frys, gratins.
Looks pretty, too as the red leaves go really dark in the cold. Should we have any!!
In the spring I cut some right down to the ground and the new fresh leaves make a good early addition to salads.

[skeggijon]

I grow Bright Lights Chard. I'm not a massive fan of chard, but its really pretty and the chooks love it, which makes it worth growing. I must say I've never had a problem keeping it going through the winter and the good thing about it is that you can still keep harvesting it when it eventually bolts.

[jimj]

I love chard and have grown it for years. The one piece of advice I'd offer is to 'cut and come again'. Just snip the outside leaves and let new ones develop from the centre. I've been feeding off about half a dozen plants all year.

[TrixC]

I'm not that keen on chard either, although I love spinach. I haven't really had success with either in this country, they just seem to get chronically infested with leaf miner and don't thrive. I believe the solution is to cover with enviromesh.

I would guess if you're a fan of beetroot (I'm not) you'll like chard ok.

[DannyK]

After wilting the leaves by steaming or microwaving they freeze well so you can keep picking even if not needed immediately. The only irksome job is washing the leaves to get any grit off.

[janzbro]

forgot to mention I have a a couple of packets of rainbow chard , dont know if this is the same as bright lights - looks the same judging by the packet

[Tripmeup]

I have it growing directly from seed and find it very hardy over winter... Not as nice as spinach IMO...and the Slugs agree

[unclefudgly]

This thread made me want to make my favourite Chard and spicy sausage penne pasta dish. Great on rainy nights like this weekend. Agree with comments about being a sturdier flavour than spinach, but have never been a fan of spinach as I find it too bland, only ever eaten supermarket stuff though.