Monday, June 18, 2012

Chard Gone Wild

Here I am standing next to our ancient two year old six feet tall chard plant. We dug up all our Rainbow chard plants except this one, which is now more than six feet tall.

I am five feet four and the chard towers above me, so this photo shows it is actually seven feet tall. We took this photo on June 15, 2012. Last night my husband picked a few leaves and cooked them, though they are a bit tough. Rainbow chard is also called Bright Lights chard, and the stems are red, yellow, fuchsia pink, and green.
We have 4 baby chards planted and may keep this old one as a sort of science experiment to answer the burning question, how long can chard live?
See the Buddha in the garden? I have Buddha in the vegetable patch and the Virgin Mary amongst the flowers. She is near a rose bush I call the Mary Rose. You can't see her or the roses in these photos, and I will post some photos of her again.
If you search my blog subjects list you can find photos of Mary and the beautiful pink Mary roses.
Can you see my garden is wild? The songbirds and skunks and possums love it here. Hey, it is all organic.

26 comments:

Wandering Writer said...

Wow, I didn't know chard plants grew that tall! Neat picture.

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

Wow! That is some amazing chard! You know, I'm embarrassed to say I've never eaten chard? I like its sort of prehistoric look.

Patricia said...

Love your chard plant. Yesterday I took out one that had bolted months ago and was about 2 1/2 feet tall. I actually love watching things go to seed...as it flowers and then produces its seeds it reminds that even as I go to seed, there may be some beauty in the process! As for a "wild, natural" looking garden...I used to pick up all the old debris and neaten things up until a friend told me to just leave the old leaves lying there...that is why they are called leaves!

Janet said...

great website and very nice picture of you.

Diane said...

It is worth keeping just for seed I would have thought. I generally leave one plant to get the next years seed from but I have never seen one this tall! Diane

myletterstoemily said...

your chard reminds me of jack and the beanstalk!

Unknown said...

That plant makes you look iddy biddy tiny, Terra. Wow! It likes whatever you are feeding it.
TTFN ~
Have a lovely day ~
Marydon

Connie said...

That's pretty cool! It will be interesting to see just how tall it can get and how long it will last!

Ginny Hartzler said...

I never knew chard grew very tall! Can you saute it or steam it a long time to get it more tender? Organic is so good, you must have lots of interesting creatures there. Do they eat your plants?

Chatty Crone said...

It was also great to 'see' you! sandie

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

Reminds me Terra of when my mom grew a poinsettia plant through Easter and into the summer. It was just like a poinsettia tree! Cool garden!

Tete said...

I have heard of chard before, but never seen anything like that. I have never grown it. Looks like a relative of rhubarb.
Cool. I may have to look into getting some for my yard.

Anonymous said...

love your garden...thanks for stopping by to visit my blog!

Queenie Believe said...

Wow that is some chard plant. I love Swiss chard, yum! Enjoy your beautiful garden.
Have a great day.
Always, Queenie

Anonymous said...

I've never eaten or seen chard growing. I loved seeing your garden and you and I are the same height - everyone else in my family is much taller than me!
Thanks for your well wishes for John and yes, we will be looking into the vaccination.

Anonymous said...

That is one tall plant!

Jen Beaudet said...

Wow! That's a tall plant! I've never tried chard. I can finally have a garden at my new house and even though I have a brown thumb, I'm inspired! I only eat organic and now I get fresh eggs from the neighbors! Thanks for mentioning Dr. Oz and Elizabeth, I'll definitely check them out. I love Dr. Oz, he always has the best info! Thank you!

Love the Buddha:)

Rosaria Williams said...

Love that chard plant! I too have had swiss chard grow to an immense height and with many flowerets. I finally cut it down.
Yes, I'd want to know how long it lasts.

Joyful said...

I love wild gardens. I think you chard plant is very tall but that is probably why it was tough...too mature. what do you think?

Jen (emsun.org) said...

I've never eaten nor grown chard, but now I'm curious to try!

Buttercup said...

Your garden is wild and lovely! Loved seeing the giant chard.
Thanks so much for your sweet and thoughtful notes. So glad we met in BlogLand.

Simone said...

When I was a kid, I hated when my mom made swiss chard. But now, I really like it. Is your Rainbow Chard considered a tree? I hear that if you prune them, they can grow like trees. That's the tallest I've ever seen one.

koralee said...

Oh how interesting..I did not know that chard would grow that high...you look adorable standing there. Your garden does look magical! Happy weekend.

Rebecca Nelson said...

I love knowing your garden is organic! Makes ALL the difference!

Thank you for your sweet congrats on the magazine article.

Blessings~xoRebecca

Kerin said...

Hi !
That is amazing that the chard is still growing!
I think you should keep it as a science experiment, and find out how tollit will get, and how long it will last :)

Thanks for finding my blog!
I'm now following you also, and I'm looking forward to getting to know you, and reading your posts!!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Smiles :)
Kerin

Red Rose Alley said...

Oh, this has brought back a memory for me. My mom used to cook chard sometimes for dinner, and my dad would love it. I never cared for the taste, but it was a favorite of his. You look so cute standing next to the chard plant. I didn't realize they grow that tall.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley