Chard- Perpetual Spinach
Beta vulgaris var. cicla
Perpetual Spinach Leaf Beet, also known as Spinach Beet Chard, and Umaina in Japan, is a hardy, vigorous, and heat tolerant producer, of smooth, shiny and dark green leaves with a white midrib ("leaf stem"). This variety was bred to have minimal stem and maximum leaf production and is a great choice for gardens with limited space, because it is one of the most productive and low maintenance garden vegetables. Here in Tampa, we pretty much grow this one year-round. One of my favorite qualities of this vegetable, Perpetual Spinach forms multiple growth nodes along its main stem way earlier than it's chard cousins. What that means: you will have more access to more "baby leaves" on each plant, which is my favorite way to eat chard.
| Days to germination | 7-12 days |
| Days to maturity | 55-65 days |
| Life cycle | biennial |
| Plant time/Harvest | Plant in the Spring for crops through Summer and Fall; Late-Summer planting for heaviest production over winter and through the next spring |
| Spacing | 10-12 in. |
| Sun | full sun, partial shade |
| Soil temperature | 60-80 degrees F. |
| Optimum soil P.H | 6.1-7.5 |
| Height | 20 in. |