Beta vulgaris (56 days) Open-pollinated. The gold standard in chard and a first-rate ornamental edible. A once-rare color in chard, this strain from Frank Morton always stands out as a garden bouquet with its eye-catching splash of bright color. Large uniform glossy light-green semi-savoyed leaves contrast with the bright yellow stems and veins. Excellent as a microgreen or as a baby leaf; becomes strikingly luminescent as the plant matures. Lacks the metallic taste of some chard. This heirloom was developed in the 1830s when it was originally known as Chilean beet. ①③
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3038
Golden Sunset
- Organic
Additional Information
Greens
Days to maturity are from emergence after direct seeding.
All greens are open-pollinated except where noted.
Culture: When to harvest greens? Research from trials conducted in England and Kenya showed looseleaf lettuce, red chard and arugula harvested in the evening had a longer shelf life than when picked in the morning.
Chard
About 1,000–2,800 seeds/oz. Seed size varies by variety
Days to maturity are from seeding date. Subtract 20 days for transplants.
Salzer’s 1915 catalog opines, “Swiss chard produces more food for the table than almost any other vegetable and it also requires less care; it yields a constant crop from July to winter.” Same species as beets.
Culture: Hardy and easy to grow. Can be sown almost as soon as ground can be worked in spring. Minimum germination temperature 40°, optimum range 50–85°. Space according to use—can be direct-seeded 2" apart for baby-leaf harvest; thin to 12–16" apart for large leaves. Soften thick ribs of chard, beets and other greens by braising. Also used for microgreens.
Disease: Cercospora Leaf Spot (CLS) looks like someone shot small target-like circles in mature foliage. Prolonged periods of rain and high humidity exacerbate this disease. Rotating crops, removing plant debris, and wider row spacing for adequate air circulation are preventive measures.
Germination Testing
For the latest results of our germination tests, please see the germination page.
Our Seeds are Non-GMO
All of our seeds are non-GMO, and free of neonicotinoids and fungicides. Fedco is one of the original companies to sign the Safe Seed Pledge.
This item is certified organic