Hi, I got some seeds which are meant to be Beet Leaf (Swiss Chard) White Silver, but they don't look so much like what I see from their picture. You can't see the stalks in the picture, but they are not really that thick, and the leaf is much lighter green, and flatter.
Can someone give me a second opinion?
Mine:
Other:
Edit/Update: Here is a leaf/stem...
Last edited by leke on Sat Jun 21, 2014 3:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I am not sure about swiss chard and beet leaf being the same although there would be a mild similarity in shape and they are related closely. You do get a swiss chard that is red too - it is called bright lights. Both are edible in the same way.
Sometimes I plant things and then realise the seeds did not germinate or were killed and I am nursing weeds. I have also had the wrong seeds in a packet before! That picture you posted is neither swiss chard or beet btw but I can't identify it.
Swiss chard is also called silverbeet, or spinach beet. Beets and Chard are in the same family, the chenopods. It is an ancient and nutritious vegetable. Swiss chard has the same earthy flavor of beets. Beet leaf, may actually be the leaves of beets which are pretty tasty too. However, if you harvest too many beet leaves, don't expect much beet.
Beets are like cilantro, it is an acquired taste and you either love it or hate it.
It is very easy to grow and a good choice for small gardens since it can be harvested repeatedly over a long time.
The first time, I ate chard, I didn't like it because it tasted like dirt. But now, that I know to use the younger leaves and how to cook it, its' great.
Beet and chard seeds, is really a cluster of seeds. When you have to thin beets, the thinnings can be eaten as baby greens.
Chard comes in a variety of colors, white, red, yellow, orange and magenta.