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Anyone willing to share their good ideas?

HotwaxHotwax Posts: 51
in Plants
i’ve just bought sone seeds from T&M - all (or nearly all) their seeds are £1 at the moment. Bargain! I had this idea of sowing Swiss Chard Bright Lights, growing them on in quite large pots, then planting them for winter colour in my borders when I lift my dahlias in the autumn. I’m hoping this will work. Has anyone tried this? Or has anyone got any other good ideas which they are willing to divulge?
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  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,505
    I think Jack Frost may have other ideas.
  • HotwaxHotwax Posts: 51
    Swiss Chard is hardy, isn’t it??
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,177
    edited June 2020
    "Bright Lights" can be overwintered l'm sure.

    Edited to add, more info here, according to this it can be.
    https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-swiss-chard/
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,854
    It is fairly hardy but a heavy frost will make it sad and ropey and not good for the kitchen.   Curly kale is hardier if you get cold winters and cavolo nero is attractive too IMHO.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 54,358
    I grow it, but they don't survive the winters without a bit of shelter.
    We didn't have here what I would call a winter last year though, and I had a pot of it come through. It was tucked in beside the house wall though. The foliage gets rough, but you can cut it back. I repotted mine, but I only use the fresh new leaves for the odd bit of salad. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • HotwaxHotwax Posts: 51
    Hmm, what a shame. And I thought Bright Lights would give a colourful winter display....
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,854
    It will, but so will other plants that are hardier but maybe not edible.   Have to say I find the flavour of normal white stemmed Swiss chard superior to ruby or rainbow anyway.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • HotwaxHotwax Posts: 51
    But not so pretty.....
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,854
    Loads of pretty winter stuff and curly kale and cavolo nero knock spots of plants like alchemilla mollis when it comes to raindrops on foliage.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • HotwaxHotwax Posts: 51
    When I had an allotment my cavalo nero was always covered in whitefly.
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