chard 'Rhubarb Chard'
leaf beet / chard or Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla var. flavescens 'Rhubarb Chard'
A big, sturdy, handsome plant forming clumps of purple-tinged leaves with vivid crimson midribs that glow in sunshine. The taste is rich and earthy – like a cross between beetroot and spinach. Pick leaves young and eat raw for a colourful salad ingredient, or cook leaves and midribs separately as a dual-purpose side vegetable. The midribs make a tasty (and colourful) substitute for celery in cooking.
How to care for chard Rhubarb Chard:
Chard is easy to care for once established, needing regular watering in dry spells to keep the leaves tender and prevent bolting. Remove weeds around the plants to reduce competition, and apply a mulch to help retain soil moisture.
Harvest outer leaves regularly by cutting them near the base, allowing the central growth to keep producing fresh leaves over a long season. Both young leaves and mature stems can be picked, with frequent harvesting encouraging further growth.
Chard is hardy and will often stand through winter, especially with a little protection, giving a valuable supply of greens when other crops are scarce.
Harvest outer leaves regularly by cutting them near the base, allowing the central growth to keep producing fresh leaves over a long season. Both young leaves and mature stems can be picked, with frequent harvesting encouraging further growth.
Chard is hardy and will often stand through winter, especially with a little protection, giving a valuable supply of greens when other crops are scarce.
Sowing instructions:
Sow directly outdoors in a seedbed from March to August. Sow seeds thinly at a depth of 1cm in drills 30cm (12in) apart. For young leaves, thin seedlings to 7cm (3in) apart. For larger chards/leaves thin to 15cm (6in) apart.
Eventual height:
0.6m
Eventual spread:
0.45m
Position:
Full sun
Rate of growth:
Fast-growing
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
Fully hardy
approx 100 seeds
£2.79
In stock
(shipped within 2-3 working days)
(shipped within 2-3 working days)
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