Chard 'Rhubarb Red' (Beta vulgaris var. cicla)

*Beta vulgaris* var. *cicla*

Product code : JAREC-0020

Organic 'Rhubarb' Swiss chard is a variety that is as decorative as it is productive, capable of brightening the vegetable garden with the vividness of its bright red petioles and the richness of its dark green foliage. With its colorful appearance, *Beta vulgaris var. cicla* offers a remarkable ornamental presence, while remaining a very generous leafy vegetable in the kitchen. Its mild, fresh flavor, devoid of significant bitterness, makes it particularly pleasant in salads, stir-fries, or stews. Very heat-resistant, it continues to produce consistently in the heart of summer, making it a valuable ally for extended harvests.
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Detailed plant guide
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Quantity
About 100 seeds
Exposure
Sun to partial shade
Life cycle
Biennial

Discover the plant

Common nameSwiss Chard 'Rhubarb Red'
FamilyAmaranthaceae
GenusBeta
Speciescommon
CultivarRhubarb Red
TypeVegetable
Botanical name*Beta vulgaris* var. *cicla*
Reproducible seedsYes

Swiss Chard ‘Rhubarb Red’ (Beta vulgaris var. cicla). Organic 'Rhubarb Red' Swiss chard is a variety as decorative as it is productive, capable of brightening the vegetable garden with its vibrant red petioles and rich dark green foliage. With its colorful appearance, Beta vulgaris var. cicla provides a remarkable ornamental presence, while remaining a generous leafy green in the kitchen. Its mild, fresh flavor, devoid of significant bitterness, makes it particularly pleasant in salads, stir-fries, or stews. Highly heat-resistant, it continues to produce consistently throughout the summer, making it a valuable ally for prolonged harvests.

Recommended sowing period: May to July. The depth should be 1.5 to 2 cm (0.6 to 0.8 in). Germination usually takes 7 to 14 days. For germination, keep the soil at 10 to 30 °C (50 to 86 °F). Distribute leafy green seeds evenly to avoid overly dense seedlings. Thin out or transplant according to the cultivation type, keeping the vigorous plants. Staggered sowings allow for harvesting leaves at different stages. Identify the dates to track growth.

Easy to grow in loose, loamy, well-worked soil, it thrives in bright exposure and regular watering to produce tender leaves and crisp stems. Leafy greens benefit from being placed near a pathway, as they are often harvested in small quantities. Organize short rows or identified groups to choose ready plants without trampling the soil. Leave space for the heart or head depending on the type grown. In a vegetable garden layout, different colored foliage helps to identify varieties and prepare varied salads.

Bette à carde Rhubarb Red. Bette à carde à côtes rouges et grandes feuilles vertes. Le cadrage permet de voir les formes, les couleurs et les détails du sujet représenté. Les contours se détachent du fond de l’image, avec des différences de teinte et de texture visibles sur les surfaces. Cette vue accompagne la présentation du produit dans la boutique.

Sowing guide

It all startswith a seed.

Sowing depth

0.6 to 0.8 in. (1.5 to 2 cm)

Germination temperature

10 to 30 °C (50 to 86 °F)

Germination time

7 to 14 days

Sowing period

May to July

Propagation

Sowing

Growing method

Recommended sowing period: May to July. The recommended depth is 1.5 to 2 cm (0.6 to 0.8 in). Germination usually takes 7 to 14 days. For germination, keep the soil at 10 to 30 °C (50 to 86 °F). Distribute leafy vegetable seeds evenly to avoid overcrowding. Thin or transplant according to the type of crop, keeping vigorous plants. Staggered sowing allows for harvesting leaves at different stages. Identify the dates to monitor growth. During hot periods, monitor the surface of the seedbed: it can dry out before the roots have reached a cooler layer. For leaf-by-leaf harvesting, start with the outer leaves and preserve the center of the plant. Headed varieties can also be harvested whole when the heart is well formed. A young leaf is generally more tender than a leaf left for too long. Rinse the harvest before preparation and avoid crushing the remaining foliage. Observe the elongation of the central stem to identify the beginning of bolting. Leafy vegetables require harvesting adjusted to the type of plant.

Soil and care

The right care,at the right time.

Care level

Regular during establishment, then adapted to growing conditions

Watering

Regular

Soil type

Prepare a loose, silty, and well-drained soil. Distribute leafy vegetable seeds evenly to avoid an overly dense carpet of seedlings. Thin out or transplant according to the crop type, keeping the vigorous subjects. Staggered sowing allows for harvesting leaves at different stages. Identify dates to monitor growth. During warm periods, monitor the surface of the seedbed: it can dry out before the roots have reached a cooler layer.

Fertilization

Fertilization supports growth and takes into account nutrients already present in the soil or potting mix. Use mature compost or a fertilizer suited to the crop, following the dosage instructions. Avoid using multiple products, especially in a container where roots occupy a limited volume. Water as needed after application and observe foliage development before re-fertilizing.

Moisture

Moist soil during germination, without standing water; adjust thereafter to the crop

Seasonal care

Easy to grow in loose, loamy, well-worked soil, it thrives in bright exposure and regular watering to produce tender leaves and crisp stalks. Distribute leafy vegetable seeds evenly to avoid an overly dense carpet of seedlings. Thin out or transplant according to the type of cultivation, keeping the vigorous plants. Staggered sowings allow for harvesting leaves at different stages. Identify the dates to track growth. During hot periods, monitor the soil surface of the seedlings: it can dry out before the roots have reached a cooler layer. For leaf-by-leaf harvesting, start with the outer leaves and preserve the center of the plant. Headed varieties can also be harvested whole when the heart is well formed. A young leaf is generally more tender than a leaf left for too long. Rinse the harvest before preparation and avoid crushing the remaining foliage. Observe the elongation of the central stem to spot the beginning of bolting. Leafy vegetables require harvesting adjusted to the type of plant. Outer picking preserves the heart when you want to continue production. Very old leaves are not as tender as young shoots. Rinse the harvest just before use or dry it carefully before a short stay in the refrigerator. With its colorful appearance, Beta vulgaris var. cicla brings remarkable ornamental presence, while remaining a very generous leafy vegetable in the kitchen.

Container growing

A garden,within reach.

Suitable for containers

Yes

Recommended pot size

A stable, perforated container, wide enough for the plant to spread out and deep enough for the roots
Choose this exposure: sun to partial shade. Reserve this spread around the plant: 30 cm (12 in). A leafy vegetable planter allows for a harvest close to the kitchen. Use all available surface area without pressing the plants against the edge. Headed types require more space than leaves harvested very young. Check humidity regularly and water under the foliage as much as possible. Harvest with clean scissors and remove damaged leaves to keep the heart accessible and aerated. The organic 'Rhubarb' Swiss chard is a variety as decorative as it is productive, capable of illuminating the vegetable garden with the vibrancy of its bright red petioles and the richness of its dark green foliage. With its colorful appearance, Beta vulgaris var. cicla brings a remarkable ornamental presence, while remaining a leafy vegetable of great generosity in the kitchen. Its sweet, fresh flavor, devoid of marked bitterness, makes it particularly pleasant in salads, stir-fries, or stews. Very heat-resistant, it continues to produce consistently in the heart of summer, making it a valuable ally for prolonged harvests. In the garden, it easily integrates into both food-producing vegetable patches and edible borders, where its color contrast immediately catches the eye.
Sachet de semences Bette à carde Rhubarb Red. Emballage blanc photographié de face sur un fond de bois brun. Une image du végétal occupe la partie centrale, sous le nom imprimé. De petits pictogrammes et un code-barres apparaissent au bas du sachet. La marque Écoumène figure dans la partie supérieure de cette présentation.

Bloom and dimensions

Its place,in your garden.

Mature height

40 cm (16 in)

Width / spread

30 cm (12 in)

Foliage type

Seasonal foliage

Bloom period

June to August, second year

Fruiting

With its colorful appearance, Beta vulgaris var. cicla brings a remarkable ornamental presence, while remaining a leafy vegetable that is very generous in the kitchen. Its mild, fresh flavor, devoid of any marked bitterness, makes it particularly pleasant in salads, stir-fries or stews. Very heat-resistant, it continues to produce consistently in the middle of summer, making it a valuable ally for extended harvests.

Harvest

60 days after sowing
Bette à carde Rhubarb Red. Bette à carde à côtes rouges et grandes feuilles vertes. Le cadrage permet de voir les formes, les couleurs et les détails du sujet représenté. Les contours se détachent du fond de l’image, avec des différences de teinte et de texture visibles sur les surfaces. Cette vue accompagne la présentation du produit dans la boutique.

Garden associations

In goodcompany.

Companion plants

Carrots, onions, lettuce

Recipe idea

From the gardento your plate.

Edible parts

Leaves
Swiss Chard ‘Rhubarb Red’ cooking idea: vegetable sauté for four servings. Prepare 400g of harvested chard, one clove of garlic, 15ml of oil, and 30ml of water. Cut the stems, ribs, or firm parts into small pieces and set the leaves aside. Heat the oil, sauté the garlic without burning it, then add the firm pieces and water. Cover for a few minutes. Then add the leaves or tender parts and continue cooking until desired texture is reached. Season to taste and serve hot. Prepare ingredients with clean utensils and adjust the cut size to your harvest. This recipe highlights freshly picked parts: remove any damaged pieces before preparation. If doubling the quantities, ensure enough space in the pan to mix or cook evenly. Promptly refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container and consume within two days. For a two-person meal, simply divide all quantities by two.

Frequently asked questions

Your questions,answered.

How to successfully sow 'Rhubarb Red' Swiss Chard?
Recommended sowing period: May to July. The recommended sowing depth is 1.5 to 2 cm (0.6 to 0.8 in). Germination usually takes 7 to 14 days. For germination, maintain the potting soil at 10 to 30 °C (50 to 86 °F). Distribute leaf vegetable seeds evenly to avoid an overly dense mat of seedlings. Thin out or transplant according to the type of crop, keeping the vigorous plants. Staggered sowing allows for harvesting leaves at different stages. Identify the dates to track growth. During hot periods, monitor the surface of the seedbed: it may dry out before the roots have reached a cooler layer.
Can Swiss Chard ‘Rhubarb Red’ be grown in pots?
Choose this exposure: full sun to partial shade. Reserve this much space around the plant: 30 cm (12 in). A leafy vegetable planter allows you to keep a harvest close to the kitchen. Use all available surface area without pressing the plants against the edge. Head-forming varieties require more space than leaves harvested very young. Check moisture levels regularly and water under the foliage as much as possible. Harvest with clean scissors and remove damaged leaves to keep the heart accessible and aerated. The organic 'Rhubarb' Swiss chard is a variety that is as decorative as it is productive, capable of illuminating the vegetable garden with the vibrancy of its bright red petioles and the richness of its dark green foliage.
When to harvest Swiss Chard 'Rhubarb Red'?
With its colorful appearance, Beta vulgaris var. cicla brings a remarkable ornamental presence, while remaining a leafy green of great generosity in the kitchen. Its mild, fresh flavor, devoid of marked bitterness, makes it particularly pleasant in salads, stir-fries, or stews. Very heat-tolerant, it continues to produce consistently in the heart of summer, making it a valuable ally for prolonged harvests. Easy to cultivate in loose, loamy, and well-worked soil, it appreciates bright exposure and regular watering to offer tender leaves and crisp stalks. Leafy greens require harvesting adjusted to the type of plant.
What makes Swiss Chard 'Rhubarb Red' stand out in the garden?
Organic ‘Rhubarb’ chard is a variety that is as decorative as it is productive, capable of brightening the vegetable garden with its vibrant, bright red stalks and rich, dark green foliage. With its colourful appearance, Beta vulgaris var. cicla offers a remarkable ornamental presence, while remaining a very generous leafy vegetable in the kitchen. Its mild, fresh flavour, without marked bitterness, makes it particularly pleasant in salads, stir-fries or stews. Very heat-resistant, it continues to produce consistently in the middle of summer, making it a valuable ally for extended harvests.
How to organize a 'Rhubarb Red' Swiss chard plantation?
Leafy vegetables benefit from being placed near a pathway, as they are often harvested in small quantities. Organize short rows or identified groups to select ready-to-harvest plants without compacting the soil. Leave room for the heart or head depending on the type grown. In a vegetable garden composition, different colored foliage helps to identify varieties and prepare varied salads. For leaf-by-leaf harvesting, start with the outer leaves and preserve the center of the plant. Headed types can also be harvested whole when the heart is well-formed. A young leaf is generally more tender than a leaf left too long.