{"product_id":"rhubarb-chard","title":"Rhubarb Chard","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeta vulgaris \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStory: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eC\u003cspan\u003ehard is an all-star of the kitchen garden. It produces leaves for ages and is hardy and delicious. This variety has striking red veins contrasted with deep green leaves. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeed grown by:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omved Gardens\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen to sow:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e S\u003cspan class=\"ILfuVd\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hgKElc\"\u003eow your seeds from early spring to late summer depending on when you would like to eat it. We successional sow. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRequirements:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Moist, nutrient-rich soil in a sunny space. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHarvesting for eating:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Cut off leaf stems as needed, leaving the central point growing for continuous harvests. Chard can be harvested when young, for small tender leaves, or later for a cooking green. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvesting for seed saving:\u003c\/strong\u003e In its second year of growth towards the end of summer when seeds begin to dry on the plant.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNeed to isolate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeed Saving from chard:\u003c\/strong\u003e A little patience is required when saving seed from chard - it is biennial and sets seed in its second year. The plants can often be overwintered in the ground in mild winters if protected with a straw mulch or fleece in frosty weather. In the second year, allow the plants to flower; it is recommended to allow 5 or more of the healthiest plants to flower and set seed to keep genetics strong. Chard is wind pollinated so only allow one variety to go to flower at any one time (beetroot is also closely related so can also cross if allowed to flower). The flower stalks grow huge! Allow the seeds to fully ripen on the plant - the stalks and seeds will turn brown at this point. Then cut the entire stalks and bring inside to hang or lay on cardboard \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eto fully dry (they are huge, we use the greenhouse floor). Then, wearing gloves, strip the seeds into a big bucket. Try \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=518c_3hqCl0\"\u003eto winnow\u003c\/a\u003e as much chaff from the seeds as possible. Package them up, label and date and share the abundance of seeds - with friends, family and seed networks. \u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of plants to save seeds from:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e5-10 minimum, 10 - 20 or more is ideal\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePollination:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eWind pollinated (And occasionally insect) \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow to send back \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eseed:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Please label all seed with variety, type, date and your contact. If you didn't get a chance to fill out our online data collection form, you can also send us a few lines about how it grew for you\/flavour etc. Please aim to send back 1\/2 cup of dried seed or more so that we can continue to share with network members. Send to: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Seed Saving Network, Omved Gardens, 1 Townsend Yard, N6 5JF.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease remember, if you’re an individual grower you can order up to 4 packets of seeds. If you order more than this, you will receive just four packs to begin with. This is to ensure we get plenty of data in return and to keep our stocks sustainable for years to come.* \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e*Community groups, seed guardians and Experienced Growers can order larger quantities, please email us at \u003c\/b\u003e\u003ca href=\"mailto:info@seedsaving.network\" style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003einfo@seedsaving.network\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cb\u003e if this is the case.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIf an item is out of stock we will send a close alternative.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Seed Saving Network","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56643240034677,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0509\/5479\/7239\/products\/DSC02368.jpg?v=1706714958","url":"https:\/\/shop.omvedgardens.com\/products\/rhubarb-chard","provider":"The Seed Saving Network","version":"1.0","type":"link"}