Hi

I grew them for the first time last year. While I do like the flavor was very impressed with the look of the plant particularly the red variety. This year I'm growing a variety called neon Just seedlings but already see red yellow,white and orange stalks If the cats and the wind will leave them alone they might be beautiful lol gary

When I travel to Alabama they have chard as anchor plants for decorating in giant pots, and under the porches, etc. It's everywhere. Grows wonderfully and is pretty to boot. One town uses it in their parks and walkways. Normally I see them out from August/September through May or early June

Thanks, Silvia. Your garden is always beautiful.

Hi, Gary. I grow bright lights chard at the top of a hydroponic tower and all my neighbors always comment on how nice it looks waving over the top of the fence.

That's very interesting, ibarbidahl. A friend in Tempe AZ back in the 70s had all edible landscaping with lots of chard, but since then I don't think I've seen it used in landscape in this country.

Thank you Writersblock for your kind words, the garden brings me joy and good food. I have seen chard in Disney when I go to the plant shows.

Gary, chard is very ornamental! I hope that you eat it too, it is good for you.

Barbie, I have seen those arrangements in the magazines, they look very nice. Last season I gave the community garden some chard seedlings, they were amazed how tall they grew and they went to look recipes because they were not familiar with them.

A blast from the past, some chard that I grew and I made a pie.

Silvia

Do you have the recipe for the pie, Silvia?

Hi

I doeat it ,particularly like it in dressings . Only complaint about it is that it would not last through summer. Okay a couple more lol the neighbors cats dug up the newly planted seedlings followed by the wind up rooting several lol

gary

Hi Writersblock, I don't remember which recipe I made for the pie, but if it is not memorable for the family, I don't make it again and I think that was the case with this one because it was sort of sweet with the apples. The one we really like is swiss chard empanadas and you can make a filling with any cheese that you like manchego, goat, mozarella, etc. The dough you can use any pastry dough that you like, puff pastry or empanada dough that is already made, and I usually bake them and the leftovers can be frozen.

Hi Gary, they are very easy planted from seeds and likes cooler weather, when I have space in my raised beds after the summer squash and beans are done, I will plant chard and beets.

Chard growing hydroponically does very well, this picture is from behind the scenes tour in Epcot.

Silvia

Thanks, Silvia. Yeah, I don't really like chard with fruit. It's too salty, but the empanadas are a great idea. Here's a picture of my tower last Jan, with the chard at the top. It got a lot bigger by the end of the season, but I'm too lazy to look up those photos:

Wow! that looks gorgeous!

When driving around my area yesterday, I saw a big space like a parking lot and they were filling with hydroponics set up, I will keep on eye and see what they are growing and how they are going to enclosure the space, otherwise the crops are going to be a target...

Silvia

I'm loving all these great photos. Thanks for your great ideas, Writersblock, I hope your trip was sensational! Your tower looks like a fun project. Silvia, as always, your garden is inspirational to me. Right now I have a very few Bright lights swiss chard in my garden and yesterday I noticed the snails are enjoying them very much. Gotta get out and do something about it tomorrow if there are any left!