[Beetroot Queen]

Never having done this before we decided to have a go.

Germination rate amazing and now we are just transplanting them onto the plot, everyone talks of them not liking warm temps. Did we get our sowing times wrong or will they still be okay.

Does anyone have any pics as in small plant, medium plant, ready to pick plant. I work so much better in pictures.    also what do I do with it when ready LOL i have never eaten it, grown it but the picture looked pretty.

[snowdrops]

There's another thread on this to BQ, I think it was steveharford?  I pull it a bit line rhubarb, wash well, strip the leaves from the stems,chop the stems in to chunks & poach in stock until nearly tender & then add the shredded leaves on top. Cook until wilted. Never had it any other way but someone out a recipe on the other thread with fried potatoes that got me thinking.

[Beetroot Queen]

Oh will have a look for it. Thanks

[Steveharford]

Yes, heres a recipe we did last night. Very good use of our new potatoes too. Loved it.  http://m.wikihow.com/Cook-Chards-the-Spanish-Way. Mine are still young as in about a foot high max and about ten leaves to a plant. I harvested a few outer leaves from each one.

[Beetroot Queen]

Thank you, I couldnt find that on the search at all.

Mine looked a bit rough as they have been attacked, hoping they pull through not sure who was to blame, slugs, birds, or the cat 

[Steveharford]

Here are mine BQ  Pigeons ignoring them at the moment

[Beetroot Queen]

Brilliant, they do look a bit like mini rhubarb dont they.  pictures make my brain work.

[Steveharford]

Yes  worth growing just to add some colour. Looks like one may be bolting there . Hope not.

[Beetroot Queen]

I have had bolt city this year, first time ever I have rotavated and oh my everythings gone to pot.  ::)no sure if thats the reason but it seems suspect.

[gypsy]

Yes, heres a recipe we did last night. Very good use of our new potatoes too. Loved it.  http://m.wikihow.com/Cook-Chards-the-Spanish-Way. Mine are still young as in about a foot high max and about ten leaves to a plant. I harvested a few outer leaves from each one.

Thanks for that Steve.

[Growster...]

BQ, you can chop the stems into 2" pieces, then make the pieces smaller by cutting them vertically, then frying in butter.

Absolutely to die for, especially with a little fresh garlic and pepper..;0)

[lettice]

First year I have grown swiss chard and picked a load this morning, growing very well.
The variety is Lucullus and has white, not red stems.
I've treated it much like I grow my spinach in a raised bed under a large cover along with my beetroot and spinach.
I've also grown some in pots around the garden, they are not so large yet, but growing well.
Had a sneaky taste before cooking later, just delicious, stems as well.
The stems are a stronger flavour than the leaves.

I have noticed that its quite a thirsty crop and luckily growing under the cover it remains moist.
I may cover my pots too as they are drying out regularly.

[Snoop]

I'm growing some chard for the first time too, as OH just has to look at it and go "yuk". I'm determined to make him eat it, though.

Anyway, on the temperature front, people have been planting them out here for a couple of weeks. Temps will rise all of a sudden here now, so I don't think heat is a problem for them so long as they're well watered.

Mine too have been attacked. Flea beetles by the look of it.

Have just looked at the recipe. One key ingredient missing is paprika. Add to the garlic when frying and use the garlic and paprika-flavoured oil as a dressing for the vegetables.

[snowdrops]

Planted a dozen plants out today . It's quite a few years since I grew any & remember them being prolific so I bet keep checking on here for more recipes as mine is a bit basic

[kermit]

Treat like spinach, and great as a soup if you use decent stock. Also great on pizza with feta. A great, prolific, hardy, problem free veg. Except for the first year ever my seedlings have stalled!