Can you educate me about Swiss chard?

[BearSwampChick]

How large should I let the leaves get before harvesting? I've been picking them when they're about 6-8 inches long. Should I let them get any bigger?

Susan

 

[Reinbeau]

They can get much bigger. I have never had a problem with them getting tough. I do try to eat them before they become tattered!

 

[SewingDiva]

They can get much bigger. I have never had a problem with them getting tough. I do try to eat them before they become tattered!

Oh definitely, and they're also very decorative. We clip individual leaves and the plant just keeps going and going and going.

~Phyllis

 

[Tutter]

I let them get larger, too.

 

[BearSwampChick]

Thanks! I know I've seen it in stores that is much bigger. We're not using pesticides so it does start getting a little holey when it gets larger than 8 inches. This is my first year for growing it and we started it in a cold frame and never reset it, so it doesn't have a lot of room for growing big. I'll try to let it grow a little larger.