For the last month, one of my Swiss Chard plants looked like it was on steroids. It is almost three feet high and has a plume coming out its center like it is off to see the horse races. The rest of the chard looks big, but obviously not as ostentatious as the middle chard.
I think the Sorrel next to the plant is secretly supplying steroids to the Swiss Chard. It is a pretty bitter plant so it might be jealous of the beautiful Swiss Chard with its magnificent leaves and its happy go lucky demeanor that can withstand cold and hot weather. How else can I explain what is going on?
Did the rabbits who I constantly chased out of my garden put something in the soil to piss me off? Cotton tails my @ss. Is it is my luscious compost that I wish I could say I made myself is causing the amazing growth. (I am a compost flunkee and can’t get more than sludge out of my compost. It would require me to stop dumping and actually turn the pile…)
So, what gives with this Swiss Chard and why is it different than all of its sister chards? I know there is always someone in the family that we all whisper about…Well, all I know is that the plants aren’t talking. There is obviously a code of the garden for goodness sakes.
So, I turn to you, my readers and ask for help.
What is the stalk coming out of the middle? (I can handle it. So give the straight dirt.)
Is it seeding itself? (I knew we should have had that mother to swiss chard discussion.)
Can I cut this part off and the plant will continue to grow? (Can I go to jail for this?)
If I don’t cut off the stalk, will I have baby Swiss Chard next year? (So, I am the reason for overpopulation. I don’t have the heart to cut off the stalk.)
Questions. Questions. Questions. So dear readers , can you help out a gardener?
Katie says
August 8, 2008 at 9:11 amIt looks like your Swiss Chard went to seed – lucky you! You have more Chard on the way! (I have never seen Swiss Chard go to seed, but I’d imagine that sending up a plume with flowers and such indicates this is what the plant is doing).
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Green Talk says
August 8, 2008 at 12:53 pmKatie, I have never seen this either. What do I do? Do I dry the seeds for next year? My turnips went to flower to. What is up with that? Anna
Kirk says
August 11, 2008 at 6:00 pmi am no plant expert but i believe i have seen this plant before… it used to grow in my yard, and they grow too fast so i just cut them off… sorry i haven’t been much help:(
Steven says
August 16, 2008 at 12:59 amYes, your swiss chard has gone to seed. My wife recommends that you let the seeds dry on the plant as long as possible, then take the remaining seeds and put them in an envelope for next year’s planting. You can plant in cooler times like early fall or early spring. You’ll actually find that you’ll probably get some “volunteer” chards, as they will likely reseed themselves.
Hey—are you going to make some greens and beans? Try it out—it’s delicious!
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Green Talk says
August 16, 2008 at 3:39 amSteven, how do I know when the seeds are dry? Is this common? I grew Swiss Chard last year and this did not happen. This stalk came up almost in a month. The other 5 plants are just growing as usual. What’s your recipe for green and beans? Is the recipe on your site? If so, link to it.
Have you ever cooked with Sorrel? Anna
Coupon Jill says
January 15, 2009 at 2:10 pmIt does sound like it has gone to seed. Let the seeds dry and then save them.
This post makes me wish for summer again!
Zach @ Train Horns Now says
November 10, 2009 at 5:40 pmWow, that thing does look like it’s on steroids!!!
Maybe it just happens to be sitting in some very prime soil that’s loaded with natural fertilizers!!! 🙂
play kitchens says
February 10, 2010 at 8:03 pmI don\’t know much about swiss chard but this was a hilarious post
Laura says
May 29, 2011 at 1:42 pmThree of my plants went to seed also. I left them as is for a couple of weeks so I will probably get some volunteers in the fall or next spring. I am saving some of the seeds in an envelope too. I will let you know what happens.
RJack says
June 28, 2013 at 11:40 pmWe had overwintered Chard bolt, I started digging it out, did not finish. I then lopped off the remaining bolted chard flowers and low and behold, that chard just went back to normal for the summer. The variety was Perpetual, well named! Did not survive our last winter though.
Anna@Green Talk says
July 1, 2013 at 11:48 pmRJack, I am wondering if my collard green would do the same if I loop off the flowers? Anna
RJack says
July 1, 2013 at 11:51 pmHi Anna, Depends on the variety probably, I have noticed many differences between Fordhook, Perpetual, Yellow, Ruby, other colors. I only tried this with the Perpetual, as the chard normally does not over winter at our garden site.