I'll admit these Swiss chard plants look pretty sorry, but then again, it is to be expected this late in the year and at this stage of their growth. You see, these plants have been growing now for at least 18 months. I started them during the summer of 2009 and overwintered them underneath one of my hoops. To my surprise, they decided not to bolt this past summer, but instead provided us with more greens then we could have possibly eaten until very recently. In some ways, I feel like I'm saying goodbye to two dear old friends. I guess it's only fitting that they should meet their demise just as the year winds down to a close.
Have a wonder New Year's Eve everyone! Let's toast to a productive 2010 and hope for bountiful 2011.
Boy...Those chard plants certainly lasted a long time!
ReplyDeleteHave a Happy New Year Day....looking forward to another great gardening year!
Wishing you a Happy New Year too Thomas!
ReplyDeleteHi Thomas,
ReplyDeleteOur chard plants didn't bolt this summer either even though it was very hot and dry. We have decided in the future to plant them instead of spinach for a good long lasting supply of greens.
Happy New Year to you and your family, both human and furry!
Happy New Year! Looking forward to reading your blog in 2011.
ReplyDeleteChard is truly a workhorse in the vegetable garden. I have had some plants last more than year but not as long as yours did. Happy New Year to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Thomas!
ReplyDeleteWow, I love your post! So full of all the true feelings of at true gardener:)
ReplyDeleteA Very Happy Gardening Year 2011!
Charlotta
Amazing Chard. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI agree, a fitting end to an awesome veggie. I would never be without my chard....I have not even ventured out to take a peek at mine. Will have to do that this week. I imagine they are frozen, just like my spinach. But, like yours, they have been faithful all year.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Thomas.
Thomas have a happy new year and great 2011 garden. I had wonderful chard the previous year here and this year
ReplyDeletein the South with no problems of bolting. Most people that live here that I talked gardening with have never tried chard. Maybe it is less prone to bolting than they think.
Happy New Year! I had no idea chard can last for months on end, much less over a year! I thought it was more fragile but this is my first year attempting to grow it (notice "attempt"?). I had it under the row cover in the mustard box and although the mustard looks like it might pull through, the chard plants were completely gone. I presumed from the prolonged cold but now I'm going to check more closely for vole holes.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a bountiful 2011!
I've been reading your blog for about an hour now- love to see what you've done. Very nice. So I guess your fence is holding up to the critters? Any problems with deer?
ReplyDelete