Table of Contents
- 1 What plant family does Swiss chard belong to?
- 2 What type of vegetable is Swiss chard?
- 3 Where does Swiss chard come from?
- 4 Are kale and chard related?
- 5 What grows well with chard?
- 6 Is red leaf lettuce Swiss chard?
- 7 Are beets and chard the same plant?
- 8 Is Swiss chard a perennial plant?
- 9 What kind of leaves does Swiss chard have?
- 10 What’s the best way to water Swiss chard?
What plant family does Swiss chard belong to?
amaranth family
Chard, (Beta vulgaris, variety cicla), also called Swiss chard, variety of the beet of the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae), grown for its edible leaves and leafstalks. Fresh chard is highly perishable and difficult to ship to distant markets.
What type of vegetable is Swiss chard?
leafy green vegetable
Swiss chard is a leafy green vegetable, closely related to beets and spinach.
Where does Swiss chard come from?
Swiss chard originates from a wild version of the beet that naturally grew in the Mediterranean. The original variety has been traced back to the largest Mediterranean island, Sicily.
Is chard the leaves of beets?
Chard is a leafy, and often colorful vegetable, in the beet family. However, while beets are primarily cultivated for their root (though many also enjoy beet greens), the stems and leaves are the favored parts of chard. The plant came to be known as Swiss chard as a way to differentiate it from native spinach.
What is Swiss chard scientific name?
cicla. Beta vulgaris (Leaf Beet Group) ‘Bright Lights’ Plant of Merit. Common Name: Swiss chard.
Kale. Chard can be compared to any leafy green. Taste-wise and in terms of cooking, it’s most similar to spinach, but it’s good to compare it to kale as well. The leaves of the two vegetables are similar in texture: crinkled, crunchy, and dark green.
What grows well with chard?
Good companion plants for swiss chard are leeks, kale, cabbage, lettuce, marigolds, celery, peas, bush beans, rosemary, mint, thyme, basil, chives, marjoram, lavender, kohlrabi, radish, onions, garlic, alyssum, tropaeolum and collard greens.
Is red leaf lettuce Swiss chard?
White, gold, and red are the most common—Swiss chard is the white-stemmed variety. Rainbow chard is simply all these varieties packed together to be sold at the market. All varieties of chard tend to be a little pricier than other greens.
Where is chard native?
southern Europe
It is native to southern Europe and much older than the beet. It is believed to have developed from a form of wild beet thousands of years ago. White, yellow and dark green forms of chard have been known since ancient times.
Is chard a herb?
The leaf blade can be green or reddish in color; the leaf stalks are usually white, or a colorful yellow or red. Chard, like other green leafy vegetables, has highly nutritious leaves, making it a popular component of healthy diets….
| Chard | |
|---|---|
| Cultivar group members | Many; see text. |
Are beets and chard the same plant?
Chard (Beta vulgaris) is also known as leaf beet or spinach beet, and in fact the two share the same botanical name, though chard is specifically Beta vulgaris v. cicla. The common beet is cultivated for its fleshy root, while chard is cultivated for its foliage.
Is Swiss chard a perennial plant?
Is Swiss chard a perennial? Swiss chard is a biennial and can tolerate cold temperatures. If you have a warm spell in winter you may be able to harvest some leaves. If it survives the winter you can harvest in spring until it produces a flower stalk.
What kind of leaves does Swiss chard have?
‘Bright Lights’ – an All-America selection in 1998 – features mild flavor and a rainbow of stem colors (red, white, orange, purple, gold, pink) and bronze or green leaves. Swiss chard or stem chard has swollen midrib and petiole. Leaf beets or spinach beets lack a swollen midrib and petiole.
Which is the best Chard plant to plant with spinach?
Swiss chard is a leafy green vegetable high in vitamins and minerals that can withstand higher temps and minor drought more easily than other nutrient rich greens, such as spinach. Chard also has the added bonus of being quite ornamental, making it perfect for companion planting with chard.
How big of a garden do you need for Swiss chard?
There is no need to make multiple chard plantings, as the plants will not bolt due to heat or day length. Plant seeds one-fourth to one-half inch deep, in rows 18 to 30 inches apart. Thin Swiss chard to four to six inches apart.
What’s the best way to water Swiss chard?
Water Swiss chard evenly and consistently to help it grow better. Water plants often during dry spells in the summer. Mulch the plants to help conserve moisture and supress weeds. When plants are about 1 foot tall, cut leaves back to 3 to 5 inches to encourage new tender growth.