Description
1/16 ounce
DAYS TO MATURITY: 30 Baby; 60 full size
Bright yellow stems that vein beautifully into glossy, broad, green leaves.
Plants are large and uniform, displaying a beautiful bouquet of deep green leaves on cheerful orange stems. Performs well in variable weather, exhibiting exceptional quality as a microgreen, when harvested as a baby leaf and when grown to full size for bunching. Can be mixed with other colors for a classic rainbow appeal.
- Bright orange stems
- Gorgeous green leaves
Chard appreciates loose well drained soils with acidity between 6.2 and 6.8, but will tolerate 6.0-7.5 and a wide range of soil textures. Heavy clay soils can be helped by the addition of organic matter. Optimal soil temperature for germination is 55-70 degrees F. Fertilize with the ratio of 1-2-2 (N-P-K) seven days before seeding. 1-3 side dressings may be necessary.
Chard can be direct seeded mid-spring through mid-summer and into fall in warmer regions. Transplants can be started indoors or in a cold frame 4-6 weeks before planting and transplanted outdoors after danger of frost has passed. Transplants result in earlier harvests. Optimal germination temperature is 55-75 degrees F. Days to maturity from direct seeding; if transplanting, subtract 14-21 days. Babyleaf varieties grow well in summer months when it is too hot for lettuce. Sow every week for a continual summer harvest until 4 weeks before frost date. Ready to harvest after five weeks, when leaves are ~3 inches, growth rate is weather dependent.
Harvest full size leaves at any stage. Continuous harvests will encourage new growth. Use floating row covers to extend the season.
