Swiss Chard – Lucullus

Swiss Chard – ‘Lucullus’

• Growing Temp 50°F – 75°F

• Days to Maturity 50-60 days

Ease of Cultivation and versatile usage: Swiss Chard Lucullus is a highly productive and easy-to-grow leafy green, suitable for both beginner and experienced gardeners. Its broad, crinkled leaves and thick stems can be harvested continuously throughout the season. Swiss Chard can be eaten raw in salads, sautéed, or added to soups and stews, offering both a nutritional boost and a mild, earthy flavor.

Direct Sowing: For direct sowing, plant Lucullus Swiss Chard seeds outdoors as soon as the soil can be worked in spring. Sow the seeds ½ inch deep, spacing them 12-18 inches apart in rows that are about 18 inches apart. Germination typically occurs within 7-14 days. Keep the soil evenly moist during the germination period and thin seedlings to maintain healthy growth. As the plants grow, mulch around the base to retain moisture and reduce weed competition. Continuous harvest of outer leaves will encourage new growth.

Early Sowing for Seedlings: For an earlier start, sow seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date. Use seed trays filled with potting mix, placing one seed per cell. Keep the temperature at 60-65°F for good germination. Once the seedlings have developed 2-3 true leaves and after hardening off, transplant them into the garden, spacing them 12-18 inches apart in well-drained soil. Water the seedlings well after transplanting and apply mulch to help retain soil moisture.

Harvesting: Lucullus Swiss Chard can be harvested when the leaves are young and tender, or later when the stems are thicker. For baby greens, pick leaves when they are about 3-4 inches long. For full-sized chard, wait until the leaves are 10-12 inches tall. Harvest the outer leaves first, allowing the center of the plant to continue growing for a continuous harvest throughout the season.