The distinctive red stem of rhubarb ( Rheum rhabarbarum ) can lend a tart flavor to pies , while the leafage of Swiss red chard ( Beta vulgaris ) are often used as an alternative to spinach in salads . you may grow rhubarb as a perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 4 through 7 , but Swiss red chard has a bi - annual growth use that require replanting once every two years . Unlike Swiss red chard , rhubarb leaves are moderately toxic due to the mien of oxalic loony toons .
Step 1
Rhubarb industrial plant need a flow of wintertime dormancy that ends when the average daily temperature transcend 40 degrees Fahrenheit . you could grow rhubarb plant from seeds or using vegetive propagation . The most common way to propagate pieplant is from diadem divisions taken from an exist plant . This method decimate the variation in appearance and quality that happen when you plant rhubarb plant from seed . The unspoiled shoes to plant your pieplant is in open area where it can receive full picture to sunshine in a fast - draining ground . Avoid planting rhubarb plant near declamatory plants such as tree or shrubs to reduce competition for imagination .
Harvesting Rhubarb
The good time to reap your pieplant stalks is in the 2d or third year of your plant ’s growth . The larger your plant is , the earlier you could begin reap it , but in most showcase rhubarb is not ready for harvest during its first year . This timetable allows your plant time to establish a root system and ample growth . During the first harvesting it is good to limit your harvesting to a four - workweek period during the other summer to forefend weaken the plant . you’re able to safely extend your harvest home period to eight to 10 workweek during subsequent years without harming the tenacious - term health of your industrial plant . The good time to reap your rhubarb stalks is when they are 10 to 15 inches long . you’re able to stack away harvest straw in your icebox for two to four weeks .
Step 2
Chard Cultivation
Chard is a bi - annual plant that grows well in areas with full Sunday or partial wraith and a fast - debilitate soil . It thrives in loamy soils with a pH between 6 and 7 that are heavy in organic affair . Swiss red chard involve regular irrigation since its quality suffers during periods of drouth . It takes rough 50 to 60 days from establish for chard to grow large enough to reap . At its mature size you could expect your Swiss chard to reach 1 to 3 feet . blood-red varieties of Swiss chard that are let out to frost often go to seeded player rapidly . Plant your Swiss red chard after the final frost of the fountain .
Picking Chard
you could glean your chard plants once the leaves are great enough to allow for a available harvesting . There are two main ways to glean Swiss red chard . you’re able to prune the youthful outer leaves sporadically as you ask them or you’re able to harvest the entire industrial plant . The best method for harvesting whole Swiss red chard plants is to sever the radical 1 to 2 column inch above the grunge so that it can bring forth new leave . you’re able to also cut back older plants at 3 to 5 column inch above the ground to encourage flushes of sore new leaves .
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