did the Swiss invent it or did they just get
lucky and grab the name first?

we'll see how it goes here, i planted three
areas today with the Burpee Neon Mix. two outside
the fenced garden and a backup patch inside the
fenced garden.

the package says "average soil" which around
here the average would be hard as a rock right
now and mostly clay. i don't think they mean
that! however, two patches are in the
lighter soil space i have and the backup patch
is also amended lighter soil too. so i don't
think i've erred, until the bunnies find them
delicious.

Ma asked me what it was like and i said,
"Yummy, like beets, but greener!" this mix
is four colors, so i will be curious as to how
they do here. i've always loved it, always
wanted to grow some, but until now we've not
had the space in the fenced garden for a plant
like this, but now it's in. i'm looking
forwards to learning yet another thing this
year.

i think they will be a good refuge type plant
for the good bugs.

should be in the full sun or close to it.
shaded a little right now by flowers and some
trefoil, but i can trim that back if it looks
to be taking over.

let grow untouched first year and harvest
next year? harvest a little this year after
they get a few big leaves? are these biannual
like beets? says the seeds want even moisture
for sprouting, that might be a challenge in
sandier soil. how hardy are they when it gets hot
and dry? do they get deep tap roots? flower
second season? spread by root division? yes,
i know i can look this up on-line, but this is
a conversation space. so let's talk chard.
teach me, i'm a grasshopper at your knee.

beautiful weather today. rain predicted for
tonight. we'll see.


songbird