Help with chard plant

Ynnead

Hi I have had this chard plant for 2 years. The first year the leaves were big enough to harvest but after it flowered last year the leaves are much smaller. I did cut the flower spike off which might have been a bad idea.

Does anyone have any advice on how I can help it. I have been pretty bad and never fed it.

Dovefromabove

Chard isn’t really a long term vegetable ... harvest leaves in its first year and the beginning of its second, but after it puts up a flower spike (or tries to) its life is pretty much over. I’d put it on the compost heap ... geg fresh compost and sow some more seeds. 😊 

Ynnead

Thanks for the advice. Oh got no more seeds lol. If I let it flower could I use the seeds it makes to grow more?

Dovefromabove

I don’t think it’ll flower again ... it’s biennial so once it’s formed flowers and seeds its life is over. 

Ynnead

Thankyou dove. I will take the chard out and plant some sunflowers until I can get more seeds.

Dovefromabove

PM me your address ... I’ve got a few Swiss Chard seeds to spare ... Fordhook Giant ... bigger plants with thick white ribs tat you can eat separately with butter like asparagus. 😋