Swiss Chard, Lucullus
74 in stock
Quick Overview
SWISS CHARD, Lucullus –
Beta vulgaris var. cicla
FULL SUN Native to the coastal regions of southern Europe, Swiss Chard is probably older than our common beets having been developed from a wild beet more than 2000 years ago. Aristotle described a red stalked chard in 350 BC and white, yellow and green stalked chards have been known since ancient times. Introduced in 1914, Lucullus is a white stalked chard with light green leaves. Leaves are large, fleshy, heavily savoyed with large white midribs. Plants grow to 24-30 in. Flavor is excellent.
Swiss Chard can be sown in the early spring for a summer crop and mid-late summer for a fall crop. In the spring, plant as soon as the ground can be worked. Soil should be deeply spaded before planting. Chards are best grown in sandy loam soil. Rows should be 18-24 in. apart. When seedlings are 1 in. high, thin, leaving 8-12 in. between plants. Adding lime to the soil before planting will sweeten chard.
| Type | Spacing | Planting Depth | Days to Germination | Maturity |
| Swiss Chard | 8-12 in. | 1/2 in. | 14-18 | 55 |
Swiss Chard, Lucullus
Swiss chard is a cold tolerant biennial that is closely related to the beet. It is native to southern Europe and much older than the beet. It is believed to have developed from a form of wild beet thousands of years ago. White, yellow and dark green forms of chard have been known since ancient times. Aristotle mentions a red-stalked chard around 350 BC. Swiss chard has been grown both as a vegetable crop and also as an ornamental. It was introduced into the United States by the colonists who considered it another form of beet grown for its greens.
