Winters is here. it has been cold here in Tampa. We still can continue to grow our green leafy vegetables in containers indoors.

I have chosen a green leafy plant to grow indoors. Swiss chard. I planted it outdoors too. I want to see how well it does in both environments: indoors and outdoors.

SWISS CHARD can be eaten raw or cooked. raw is used in salads, and smoothies. Cook can be used steaming, in soups, stews, pastas. It is a very nice addition to many dishes.

Pick a 12 inch deep with well drainage container. Fill it up with nutritious organic potting mix. Add the Swiss Chard seeds in the container 1/2 an inch deep. Cover the pot with a layer of compost. Add water. Place the pot in a sunny area.

The seeds will germinate after 10 days given the soil temperature is 60 degrees Fahrenheit. It needs 6 to 8 hours of sun daily. Keep the soil damp all the time. Once the plant germinate it They can be separated 6 inches apart from each other. They will grow better if they have some space in between. Watch the plant grow and enjoy it.

Swiss char will grow nicely up to 2 feet. It will take around 70 days to get to full size. It likes to be moist all the time. The leaves are long and wide. The top of the leaves shine. The stem is colorful sometimes red sometimes yellow. They are a little bit bitter . They get sweeter when they are cooked or steamed.

Swiss chart is ready to harvest after 6 weeks. It can be picked after a few weeks when they are about 3 inches long. . It is best if you pick from the outer leaves. Leave the center of the plant intact. You will have Swiss Chard for the whole season. It will continue to produce leaves as long as you pick the outer leaves. Enjoy them.