Chard Rainbow [Beta vulgaris]

The biennial chard 'Rainbow' is a colorful mixture of four pure-colored varieties. The leafy vegetable is undemanding and easy to cultivate. The taste is mildly sweet and asparagus-like and can be harvested over a long period of time. Ideal for direct sowing, pot cultivation possible, sowing spring-autumn, good for mixed culture, harvesting the leaves.

 Description 
The chard 'Rainbow' is a biennial leaf vegetable and a chard mixture of four pure colored varieties: Oriole (yellow), Roscho (red), Salimo (purple) and Limago (orange). The species was already valued as a vegetable in ancient Greece and Rome. This colorful and attractive organic new variety from Germany grows vigorously and develops healthy plants with large, delicate leaves. The taste is mildly sweet and asparagus-like. Young cut leaves are also suitable as baby leaf mixtures. The mixture is undemanding and a versatile cottage garden plant that also thrives in partial shade or full sun. The variety can be harvested over a long period of time. For year-round cultivation in subtropical climates.

 General information 
Plant family: Amaranthaceae
Life cycle: Biennial
Days to harvest: 80 days
Plant height approx.: 50 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: Medium
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Up to -12°C
Location: Sunny until semi shady
Soil: Permeable, humus-rich loamy soil

pH value: 6 to 7.5

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Dark germinator
Sowing depth: 1-3 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 15-20 °C
Germination time: 6-10 days
Plant and row spacing: 30x40 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 5-6 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: Bean, Pea, Radish, Cabbage, Carrot, Parsnip, Basil, Pumpkin, Horseradish, Lamb's lettuce
Unfavorable mixed culture: Beetroot, Spinach

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
Sowing is possible all year round. Direct sowing is recommended from January to June or in autumn from September to December. The plants are ideally placed in a sunny or partially shaded location.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
Direct sowing from April to August is recommended. The plants are ideally placed in a sunny or partially shaded location.

 General recommendations 
Direct sowing is recommended. After germination, thin out the plants to the specified plant spacing.
Chard 'Rainbow' does not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
Avoid temperature fluctuations during cultivation. For a long harvest period, harvest 1/4 of the leaves from the outside inwards and be careful not to damage the heart in order to keep growth stable. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water retention capacity, it is recommended to also incorporate biochar and primary rock flour.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds.

 Plant care 
Loose, nutrient-rich soil and mixed planting are sufficient for chard. No fertilization is necessary.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Beta vulgaris
English names: Chard
German names: Mangold
Portuguese names: Acelga
Spanish names: Acelga
French names: Bettes, Blettes, Bette à carde

 Origin 
Country: Switzerland