I'm growing a big pot of red chard as an ornamental, but would also like to harvest some of the leaves for cooking. The seed packet had instructions for which leaves to remove so the plant would keep on putting out new leaves, but I lost the packet. Is there a rule for that, or do you just cut off any leaves you want? Seems like it said to take the outer leaves first, but I'm not sure.
harvesting chard
Started growing the red chard for an ornamental year before last. It came back this last spring-- green. However it is wonderful. Subs for any kind of green you want both raw or cooked. I usually harvest the medium leaves, sometimes the newest if using for a salad. Anything will work for cooking. Research shows it to be the highest in nutrition of any greens. We love it.
The package instructions seemed to indicate that it would keep putting on leaves better if you harvested it a certain way, but I can't remember what it was.
I read years ago that collards and chard both are about as nutritious as greens get. Spinach was down on the list. I love both.
Do you fertilize yours? Since mine are in a container, I probably should.
They are great simply for ornamentals, aren't they? Even the green, I think.
If I may step in.... best is to harvest the bigger outside leaves & leave small inner ones to grow to maturity. Growing in a pot they should be lightly fertilized to keep the greens coming. Good luck!
I do believe that was what the seed package advised. TKS!
Last spring we amended our beds with a truck load of mixed soil----lava sand, Texas green sand, local hardwood mulch. Everything grew like something in a sci-fi movie. Only additive I have used since is Epsom Salt. The DGer's who live close and have visited were amazed. Almost like "Jack and the Beanstalk". Even with the huge leaves it was very tender and sweet. Had these popping up all over the beds.
This message was edited Nov 29, 2008 10:47 AM
I grow my chard in containers...and have been harvesting the leaves now for about 4-5 months. The green plants are bigger, and are huge...I just harvest the outside leaves....to eat. Never thought of them as stricktly ornamentals...only to eat...we eat them 3-4 times a week! And they are SO good for you!