Sun or light shade in winter. Chard is a leafy green vegetable, often with neon-colored stalks. In Texas, it is used as a cold-weather ornamental, thanks to the terrific color and look of ‘Bright Lights’ and other cultivars.
Chard and beets are the same species, but chard has been cultivated to grow bigger leaves instead of edible roots. The common name “Swiss chard” is of unknown origin, as the plant is Mediterranean — a clue to its heat tolerance in Texas.
Plant in autumn after high temperatures have ended, spaced 6 inches apart. It can thrive on minimal water until hot dry weather returns (late spring) but don’t expect it to last long once summer arrives.
