Chard

We started growing swiss chard about three years ago and we were so amazed by its hardiness and productivity that it is has been one of our main crops every year since.

From a single sowing in spring we have leaves throughout the summer and over winter. We use them as a cut-and-come-again crop in both our raised beds and as ground cover in our permaculture garden. 

Last year our chosen variety of chard to grow was ‘Bright Lights’ which offers multi-coloured stems to brighten up the veg patch.

Chard is great stir-fried or steamed and can be used like cabbage, kale or spinach. We also like to add the younger leaves to salads and sandwiches.

It is amazingly resilient and a welcome addition to the plot in winter, when a lot of other produce has died back. It is also an attractive plant, so is perfect for people wanting to mix edible crops in a flower bed or visual display.