Beta vulgaris var. cicla
HEIGHT x WIDTH: 40cm x 20cm.
DISTANCE APART: 30cm
WHEN TO HARVEST: The leaves of rainbow chard can be harvested as soon as they are big enough. Take the outside leaves first as the new ones grow from the centre.
HOW MUCH WATER: Water every day unless it rains.
WHERE TO PLANT: Full sun
CAN I GROW THEM IN A POT? Yes. Fill a pot that is 30cm deep with premium potting mix, plant the seedlings and water them well. Make sure that the container gets plenty of sunlight.
CAN I GROW THEM IN A GARDEN BED? Yes. The garden bed must get at least 6 hours of sun every day. Mix lots of compost or animal manure into the soil, plant the seedlings and water lightly. Spread some mulch such as pea straw or lucerne hay over the soil.
BEST BUDDY PLANTS: Rainbow chard is best buddies with anyone from the cabbage family, beans and onions but it also gets on really well with
OTHER ‘SMARTY PLANT’ TIPS:
- When you get your seedlings home, let them sit in a shallow tray of water which has had a tablespoon of seaweed solution added for an hour or two. This will get them ready for transplanting.
- After planting, water the seedlings with a very soft hose or a watering can several times a day until they settle in.
- Water every day and apply a liquid fertiliser every fortnight.
- Cook rainbow chard just as you would silverbeet. It’s delicious!
There’s more information at the Smarty Plants website.