Swiss Chard – Ruby Red

Swiss Chard – ‘Ruby Red’

• Growing Temp 50°F – 75°F

• Days to Maturity 55-65 days

Ease of Cultivation and striking color: Swiss Chard Ruby Red, also known as Rhubarb Chard, is famous for its deep red stems and vibrant green leaves. It is a hardy, easy-to-grow vegetable that provides color and nutrition in the garden. This chard is a great choice for novice gardeners due to its resilience and long growing season. Ruby Red chard can be eaten fresh in salads, sautéed, or added to soups, making it a versatile vegetable for many dishes.

Direct Sowing: Sow Ruby Red Swiss Chard seeds directly into the garden as soon as the soil can be worked in early spring. Plant seeds ½ inch deep and 12-18 inches apart in rows spaced 18 inches apart. The seeds usually germinate within 7-14 days. Water the seeds consistently and thin out the seedlings once they reach 2-3 inches tall, leaving 12-18 inches between plants. Apply mulch to retain moisture and reduce weeds, ensuring healthy growth throughout the season.

Early Sowing for Seedlings: Start Ruby Red chard seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date. Use seed trays filled with potting mix, sowing one seed per cell. Maintain a temperature of 60-65°F for proper germination. Once the seedlings have 2-3 true leaves, harden them off and transplant them outdoors, spacing 12-18 inches apart. Water the transplants thoroughly and mulch around the base to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

Harvesting: Harvest Ruby Red Swiss Chard when the outer leaves reach 10-12 inches in length. Regularly picking the outer leaves will promote continuous growth. Baby chard leaves can be harvested at 3-4 inches for use in salads. To ensure ongoing production, avoid cutting the inner leaves and allow the plant to grow through the season.