I just harvested what will probably be this season’s last full bunch of Swiss Chard from the garden and started thinking just how productive this particular variety has been over the past 9 months.
First planted last September, I allocated 5 square feet of garden space to the Verde De Taglio (1 square per seed/plant). Harvesting began mid-October and lasted all through winter and spring. There was a growth spurt in November just before slowing (yet still productive) over winter and then a growth surge in March where we could barely keep up harvesting this big green leaves! Fresh baby leaves, sautéed with oil and garlic, added to a Quiche or scrambled eggs. Swiss Chard became a daily staple.
According to my harvest log, those 5 square feet of space produced over $65 worth of organically grown Swiss Chard!
The only pest management applied was the garlic pepper tea I spray on the entire garden. There was very little pest damage and no other maintenance for these plants. No problems whatsoever.
As for the taste…the flavor and the leaves were much more delicate than Chard varieties typically found in the grocery. This allowed for more fresh eating in salads or just munching on their own. They also performed very well sautéed, as they take on a nice sweet and buttery flavor.
I have certainly been won over by this very productive variety and plan on keeping it in the garden for many years to come. For anyone who enjoys Swiss Chard, give Verde De Taglio a try – you won’t be disappointed!
“The greatest change we need to make is from consumption to production, even if on a small scale, in our own gardens. If only 10% of us do this, there is enough for everyone. Hence the futility of revolutionaries who have no gardens, who depend on the very system they attack, and who produce words and bullets, not food and shelter.”
Bill Mollison