Ruby Red chard is a beautiful addition to any garden often grown for its ornamental qualities alone. Foliage is dark green on ruby red stalks. 18 - 24" plants.
Species: Beta vulgaris
Frost Tolerance: moderate frost tolerance
Qualities: heirloom, organic, salad, stir-fry
Chard (often called Swiss Chard) shares the same family, genus and species as beets. It is a gorgeous, large-leafed plant that could as easily be grown as an ornamental as a delicious, highly nutritious leafy gree n vegetable that has been cultivated for its leaves rather than its roots. The stems and veins of chard come in an array of vibrant colors including red, organge and yellow. Nutrients: very high in vitamins A and K vitamins C, E, B6, riboflavin, magnesium, iron, potassium and manganese.
Growing: A moderately frost-tolerant plant which is easy to brow by direct seed in early spring, late summer and early fall. It wants a fertile well-drained soil in the full sun but can tolerate shade for part of the day. Succession planting allows for a continual supply of fresh greens well into the fall. Prefers even moisture.