Edibles – Vegetables – Swiss Chard ‘Eldorado’

Swiss Chard ‘Eldorado’ 

 Botanical name: beta vulgaris var. cicla ‘eldorado’ 

Beginner friendly?: moderate 

Average size at maturity: up to 1.5 ft in height and in width 

Hardy zone:  zones 3-9

Foliage color:  green, red, purple, orange 

Growth rate:  can reach fully mature size in first growing season 

Pruning instructions: remove wilted foliage in the spring and summer months 

Propagation methods:  propagate by seed sowing 

Landscape use:  vegetable garden, culinary garden, container plant 

Light needs:  6 hours of sun per day 

Special features: cold hardy, deer resistant 

Watering instructions: keep soil consistently moist

Fertilizing instructions :  feed with compost before planting and then use an organic fertilizer every 3 months 

Best time to plant:  spring or summer 

Best type of soil: loam or sand 

Companion plants: cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, radishes, herbs, marigolds 

Toxicity level: non-toxic for humans and pets 

Invasive species: no