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.
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26 comments:

  1. Wandering WriterJune 18, 2012 at 7:36 AM

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

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  2. Sweet Bee CottageJune 18, 2012 at 8:15 AM

    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.

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  3. PatriciaJune 18, 2012 at 8:56 AM

    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!

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  4. JanetJune 18, 2012 at 10:38 AM

    great website and very nice picture of you.

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  5. DianeJune 18, 2012 at 11:37 AM

    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

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  6. myletterstoemilyJune 18, 2012 at 12:34 PM

    your chard reminds me of jack and the beanstalk!

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  7. UnknownJune 18, 2012 at 1:09 PM

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

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  8. ConnieJune 18, 2012 at 1:29 PM

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

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  9. Ginny HartzlerJune 18, 2012 at 1:47 PM

    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?

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  10. Chatty CroneJune 18, 2012 at 1:51 PM

    It was also great to 'see' you! sandie

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  11. Lemon Verbena LadyJune 18, 2012 at 4:34 PM

    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!

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  12. TeteJune 18, 2012 at 9:41 PM

    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.

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  13. AnonymousJune 19, 2012 at 8:15 AM

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

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  14. Queenie BelieveJune 19, 2012 at 3:40 PM

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

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  15. AnonymousJune 19, 2012 at 6:41 PM

    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.

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  16. AnonymousJune 20, 2012 at 4:41 AM

    That is one tall plant!

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  17. Jen Beaudet June 20, 2012 at 7:42 AM

    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:)

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  18. Rosaria WilliamsJune 20, 2012 at 9:16 AM

    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.

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  19. JoyfulJune 20, 2012 at 2:52 PM

    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?

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  20. Jen (emsun.org)June 21, 2012 at 8:38 AM

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

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  21. ButtercupJune 21, 2012 at 3:15 PM

    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.

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  22. SimoneJune 21, 2012 at 9:50 PM

    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.

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  23. koraleeJune 23, 2012 at 7:33 AM

    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.

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  24. Rebecca NelsonJune 23, 2012 at 9:03 PM

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

    Thank you for your sweet congrats on the magazine article.

    Blessings~xoRebecca

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  25. KerinJune 24, 2012 at 5:57 AM

    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

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  26. Red Rose AlleyJune 24, 2012 at 9:15 AM

    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

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