Rainbow Chard
Neon Glow Chard is a vibrant, fast-growing leafy green that delivers a harvest in just 50 days from sowing. This cultivar thrives in full sun with minimal spacing requirements, just 10 inches between plants, making it ideal for compact vegetable gardens and containers. The plants develop into impressive vase-shaped forms reaching 2 feet tall, producing both tender leaves and flavorful stalks that cook down beautifully. Hardy enough to tolerate light frost, Neon Glow performs well across a wide range of conditions and can even be grown year-round in mild winter climates.
Full Sun
Moderate
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What sets Neon Glow Chard apart is its combination of speed and adaptability. You'll be harvesting substantial plants in seven weeks, and the substantial foliage, both stalks and leaves, gives you plenty to work with from each plant. The chard's ability to handle cooler temperatures and light frost means your harvest window extends far beyond typical warm-season crops. Its vigorous growth habit and tolerance for varied growing conditions make it forgiving for newer gardeners while rewarding experienced ones with reliable, abundant production.
Both the stalks and leaves are edible and versatile in the kitchen. Chop and steam or sauté with garlic and olive oil for a simple side dish, or use chard as you would spinach in dishes like lasagna, minestrone soup, and other Italian preparations. Stuffed chard leaves make an elegant presentation, and the tender greens work beautifully in salads when harvested young.
Start seeds indoors in early spring, when danger of frost has passed. Sow seeds 1/2 inch deep and 2 inches apart in well-worked, fertile soil. Firm the soil well over the irregularly shaped seeds to ensure good contact and germination. Transplant seedlings outdoors once large enough to handle.
When large enough to handle, thin or transplant seedlings to a final spacing of 8 to 10 inches apart in rows 10 inches apart. Choose a location in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil. Plant in early spring after danger of frost is over.
Sow seeds directly in full sun in well-worked, fertile soil, spacing them 1/2 inch deep and 2 inches apart in rows 10 inches apart. For bed planting, broadcast thinly. Firm soil well over seeds to ensure good germination.
Begin harvesting when plants are well established and have developed at least 6 to 8 leaves. Both the stalks and leaves are edible at this point. You can continue harvesting outer leaves as the plant grows, or cut entire plants. Chard's relatively quick 50-day timeline to first harvest means you'll be picking within seven weeks of sowing.
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