This 2-in-1 veggie with great curb appeal. The leaves can replace spinach and the stems can be steamed like asparagus.
Bright lights Swiss chard.
There are 3 types:
- The white-stemmed are more cold and heat tolerant but not as pretty.
- The colored variety are, well, colorful. The leaves taste more like spinach, are smaller and work well in containers.
- And finally the Perpetual variety which delivers continuously as you pinch the leaves.
When you thin seedlings of Chard use a scissor to cut the plant rather than pull it out. Excess chard can be blanched and frozen like spinach. You can dry the leaves and use the flakes to color dishes and add nutrition! Follow packet directions when planting.
