Swiss Chard
So today we're continuing down the list of seeds that we have (and may possibly plant). This plant is known as Swiss chard with variations as seen with their color of stalk: green stalk (Lucullus), red stalk (Charlotte, Rhubarb chard), and multicolor stalks (bright lights). This vegetable is commonly used in Mediterranean dishes and is apparently rather flexible in the kitchen with young leaves being used in salads and mature leaves being sautéed or cooked.
Swiss chard, while being less well-known than other veggies, has an impressive nutritional value. With high levels of vitamin C, antioxidants, as well as a whole host of nutrients like vitamin K, omega-3 fats, vitamin A, and flavonoid antioxidants such as beta carotene, alpha carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, B-vitamins such as folate, niacin, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), thiamin, and pantothenic acid that nobody actually knows but can be reassured of their necessity for optimal cellular functionality. It also has many types of minerals like copper, calcium, sodium, potassium, iron, manganese, and phosphorus which are also necessary for everyday functioning.
However, Swiss chard really holds any significance in terms of health if one is looking to increase intake of phytonutrients (nutrients only found in certain plants and thought to contain good levels of antioxidants) as well as manage and control their blood sugar (blood sugar comes from syringic acid found in their leaves).
Now for how to grow Swiss chard, they apparently grow well with cabbage, carrots, lettuce, onion, peas and can be harvested as long as it doesn't get super cold. Here's an information list thing:
Planting: ¼ to ¾ inches deep,18 inches apart single rows or 10 to18 inches apart wide rows, eight to ten seeds per foot of row
Timing: 2-3 weeks before last spring frost date and continue planting in 10-day intervals for a month
Maintenance: when 3-4 inches tall, thin out so they are 4-6 inches apart (9-12 inches if larger), cut back when 1 foot tall to maintain flavor
Harvesting: when 6-8 inches tall, cut outer leaves 1½ above the ground
Well that seems to be it. Thanks for reading everyone!
