When to harvest Swiss Chard?

[flyboy718]

Grew some swiss chard for the first time, when do I know it is ready to harvest? What is the tastiest way to prepare it?

 

[ninnymary]

flyboy, I start cutting the outer leaves when they are about 12 inches long. I like to add them to my chicken soup. I also saute them in alittle olive oil, garlic, alittle chicken broth and alittle balsamic vinegar. I usually have this as a side dish to fish, along with sweet potatoes fries.

Mary

 

[Greenthumb18]

I harvest mine when the leaves are large enough about 12 inches. I have swiss chard that came back up from last year, had to harvest those before they went to seed. I even have volunteers that are sprouting everwhere. I like to sauteed it simply with olive oil and garlic.

Hope this helps!

 

[flyboy718]

Thanks everyone!

 

[lesa]

Remember, you don't need to cut down the entire plant. Just remove a few leaves from each, and the plant will keep growing. Even the very large leaves are still wonderful. Happy Gardening!

 

[flyboy718]

Had my first swiss chard last night! I must say that it was very good and tasted way better than I thought it would.

 

[lesa]

Excellent! Glad you enjoyed it. How did you end up preparing it? Since it grows like crazy, I like to harvest the extra- blanch it for a few minutes and freeze it. Come winter, I can add it to soups and pasta. It is a great way to get a serving of green veggies. When added to something like pasta, you can barely tell it is there- but you get all that nutrition. Happy Gardening!

 

[April Manier]

anytime from baby to the beginning of bolting. They get woody when they bolt.

 

[RickF]

Also keep in mind that if you've got any recipes that call for Spinach, you can substitute chard 1 for 1 in place of the spinach.. The taste when cooked (IMHO) is very similar.

 

[momofdrew]

best recipe I have is saute in olive oil with onions,garlic, & tomatoes, it will be soupy and then serve it over day old Italian bread top with parm cheese... yummo