[mum of 3]

im thinking of putting some chard in when my tatties have finished,does anyone know if this is relativly easy to grow,as i cant get to plot during week now but am determined to keep it going.Am i correct in thinking it is a similar taste to spinich?

[Aidy]

Chard is very easy to grow, it will grow in any ground. It is very much like spinach and we prefer it to spinach however you must eat it in moderation as it contains Oxalic Acid.

[jennyb]

i'm growing chard - the seed packet said thin out to 8 inches in between each one - is that right?

[Aidy]

yep, they can get quite big.

[Heather_S]

Aidy - I've never heard of chard containing any more oxalic acid than, say, spinach itself.

and yes they grow to be huge plants. I'd space them no closer than 8inches apart, more like 12inches at least based on my experience of the monsters.

[mum of 3]

thanks folks,im starting to plan ahead earlier this year as we were left with loads of space after harvest time last year

[WG.]

No real argument with the 8" spacing but note that Chard does not mind being crowded.  It will still perform well.

Google says : "If chard plants are crowded they will just produce smaller leaves, but more of them. "

[vegmonkey]

I'm thinking of putting some Chard in next week. I've heard that once it is in, it is hard to kill...but why would you want to?!

[noshed]

Bright Lights is quite good. Kept our office happy over the whole of the winter.

[WG.]

I've heard that once it is in, it is hard to kill

 :?:  :shock:
Says who?  Have them post it on here  

It does overwinter if that's what they mean.

[Aidy]

just dig it up when you have had enough, it wont come back.

[Trillium]

I planted Bright Lights last year and got a good crop, spaced 8-10" apart. They overwintered, but only to produce the seed bearing stalks, nothing particularly edible. I cut off the seed heads and dozens more seed heads appeared so now the whole plant is coming out and I'm planting fresh seed. They catch up quickly but I wouldn't say they're monsters.  

[Annie]

I sow directly and it always come up,as WG says it doesn`t mind being crowded.1 sow next to the spinach to give it a little shade so it dosn`t bolt so fast.I`ve just taken out last years,I got 2lb of leaves and used them for lasagne,we`re all still alive!

[flowerlady]

Love bright lights ... the stalks are great for braising too ... done in a lttle white wine and a csarp of butter with S&P yum  

I used 10 - 12" spacings and have to admit that the leaves did grow !!!      but then you get two crops that way  :roll:    

[David.]

I wouldn't say they're monsters

I have grown them for several years, and if your are going for leaf rather than colour grow another chard.

They don't seem to overwinter as well as green leaved varieties