A member of the beetroot family, chard is a versatile leafy green and is used in a variety of culinary dishes. It can be eaten both raw and cooked and is a good source of vitamins. 9x9cm pot (8cm depth)
Description
- High levels of Vitamin K
- Good levels of vitamin A
- Easy to grow
- Versatile culinary plant
An easy to grow vegetable, either as a pot herb or in the ground, it sometimes grows small beetroots at the base of the stalks.
Plant Care
- Height: 30-60cm
- Type: Hardy
- Aspect: Sun/shade
- Soil: Any/alkaline
- Flower colour: Red
- Flowering period: August in second year
There is nothing better than harvesting your own leaves through the year and chard is one that produces plenty. It loves a nice rich soil and will produce large leaves when grown in the ground, but can be successfully grown in pots too with plenty of liquid feeding to keep the glossy leaves coming. It can be grown in a shadier spot but would appreciate a couple of hours of sun a day.
Uses
Chard is a versatile leaf and can be used in many culinary dishes. Try it lightly stir fried in a splash of oil with garlic as side to other dishes, add to omelettes, shredded into Chinese soups like Tom Yum, in quiches, vegetable and bean soups, the large leaves can be stuffed and the younger leaves added to salads. Experiment!