This year I’m on a mission to grow 4,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables in my suburban backyard. In 2012 I was able to grow 2,028 pounds, and in 2013 I’m going double or nothing. I have absolutely no idea if I’ll be able to achieve my goal. But, as with any adventure, half the fun is getting there. ~Mavis
Yesterday I harvested a wee bit of Swiss chard from the front window box that sits under the office window. When I was cleaning up the garden beds last fall I thought overwintering the chard in a sheltered area in front of the house was a good idea. I had no idea the stuff would still be alive and kicking months later.
Who knew? Now I’m on a mission to see just how long the stuff will last.
Later this week I plan on moving the chard {and some I started from seed} to the backyard garden. Have YOU ever planted Swiss chard before? How long does the plant last anyway? Am I going to have to pass it down to my grandchildren?
Here is what I have harvested so far this year:
{Heirloom beets pictured from last summer}
Beets - 14 ounces
The chickens found these beets for me earlier this winter. I plan on starting some heirloom beet seeds this weekend both in the garden and in some starter trays. I want to see which ones will grow faster. Anyone care to make a guess?
{Tonda di Parigi HEIRLOOM carrots pictured from last summer}
Carrots – 3 ounces
I am still working on my bag of Costco carrots I picked up at the beginning of the year. I don’t know about you, but I cannot wait to be able to pull up some fresh, homegrown carrots this summer.
Egg Count – 270 {4.2 per day average}
Last week I was swimming in eggs. So I ended up trading my stash with Girly Girl for 2 packages of elk. Or deer. I’m not sure what it was exactly, but it was good. This week things are back to normal, and we are eating the eggs as fast as the chickens can lay them.
Lettuce – 6 ounces
Microgreens 5 ouncesMicrogreens are easy to grow anytime of year but they are especially fun to grow in winter as it is typically to cold to grow lettuce and greens outside. See those cute heart shaped leaves? Those are radish greens and they are super tasty too.
Potatoes – 2 pounds 9 ounces
Potato planting is on the schedule for this weekend. I hope I bought enough.
Sprouts - 8 ounces
I need to grow some more!
Swiss Chard 6 ounces
Think of all the money brides would save if they used bouquets of Swiss chard instead of roses. Hmmm.
Wheatgrass - 7 ounces
Total Food Harvested in 2013: 5 pounds 10 ounces
Total Eggs Collected in 2013: 270
I guess I better hop to it if I’m growing to harvest 4,000 pounds of food this year. It’s not going to be easy, but hey, at least it will be fun. And who knows, I may end up with an awesome tan too.
What’s new in YOUR garden?
~Mavis
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I have a question….Is that a Purple Dusty Miller you have in there?
Oh I wish I knew. It’s some sort of ornamental cabbage from last fall.
I grew Swiss Chard 2 years ago in my side garden and left it all winter. It just looked frozen. When spring came I cut it down and it came back. I noticed the second years chard seemed to bolt faster, but that could have just been my imagination.
i have never had swiss chard what is it and what does it taste like?
It tastes like a cross between spinach and beets, I think. I’ve been harvesting mine now and then all winter, including leaves from the seeds I planted last April. (Zone 7 with a row cover.) I didn’t realize it was biennial, but that makes sense.
Chard is one of my all time favorite breakfast dishes. I serve it with eggs and cheesy organic polenta. Into a small amount of hot olive oil (1 Tbl.) add sliced garlic, 1 or 2 cloves to taste. Then add sliced swiss chard to cover pan. Sprinkle with salt, Himalayan pink is yummy. When slightly wilted use prongs to turn over the chard. Top with next layer of chard. Combine byusing prongs to bring the chard on the bottom of the skillet to the top. Continue for as much chard as you are preparing. Chard should be bright and colorful. It cooks rapidly. This early morning greens is deliscious and energy producing. Depending on the size of course, I use 3 leaves and stems for two people and that is a generous serving. Ruby chard or bright lights chard are beautiful.
Chard is a biennial. It grows the first year & goes to seed the next. The ones you have leftover from last year will send out big seed fronds as soon as the weather warms up. They’re pretty cool looking… if you have room to let a couple of them go to seed. Very dramatic display!
Hey Mavis–how many chickens do you have since you have so many eggs?
Your window box is beautiful!
I love the look of that window box! What are the purple plants, and what other plants did you use for that beautiful arangement?
When we first installed the window box I stuffed the sides with moss to retain the soil. Little did I know, there were tiny ferns growing within the moss as well. Last fall I planted some ornamental cabbage, and moved a few of the Swiss chard plants to the window box. There are also some daffodil and tulip bulbs in there and some fall pansies too.