Ruby Red or Rhubarb Chard
Ruby Red or Rhubarb Chard is a heirloom brassica. Germination takes 7-14 days and fruit ripens from about day 32. Skin runs to red stems with dark green, red-veined leaves. Water need is regular, consistent moisture. Suits zones 1-11.
Sowing
Direct sow after last frost risk, or start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost
Cultivation
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Regular, consistent moisture
- Soil
- Well-drained loam, moderately fertile
- Spacing
- 6-8 inches
- Height
- 12-18 inches
- Season
- Warm season annual
Appearance & flavour
- Colour
- Red stems with dark green, red-veined leaves
- Shape
- Large, broad leaves with prominent red midribs
- Flavour
- Mild, slightly sweet earthy flavor with tender red stems and smooth dark green leaves.
In the kitchen
Salads, sautéed, soups, steamed, stir-fries, fresh smoothies
Pests, disease & resistance
- Pests
- Flea beetles, spider mites, aphids, leaf miners
- Diseases
- Leaf spot, powdery mildew, downy mildew
Planting calendar by USDA zone
| Zone | Start indoors | Transplant | Direct sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April – May | June – July | June – July | July – September |
| 2 | April – May | June – July | May – July | June – September |
| 3 | March – April | May – June | May – June | June – October |
| 4 | March – April | May – June | April – June | May – October |
| 5 | February – March | April – May | April – May | May – November |
| 6 | February – March | April – May | April – May | May – November |
| 7 | February – March | April – May | March – May | April – November |
| 8 | January – February | March – April | March – April | April – December |
| 9 | January | February – March | February – March | March – December |
| 10 | January | February – March | January – March | February – December |
| 11 | January | January – February | January – February | January – December |
| 12 | January | January – February | January – February | January – December |
| 13 | January | January – February | January – February | January – December |
Companion planting
8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.
Avoid
Nutrition (per 100 g)
- Calories (per 100 g)
- 31
- Protein (g)
- 2.57
- Fat (g)
- 0.34
- Carbohydrate (g)
- 6.27
- Fibre (g)
- 2.4
- Vitamin A (µg)
- 8
- Vitamin C (mg)
- 91.3
- Vitamin E (mg)
- 0.15
- Vitamin K (µg)
- 102
- Vitamin B6 (mg)
- 0.191
- Folate (µg)
- 65
- Calcium (mg)
- 46
- Iron (mg)
- 0.69
- Magnesium (mg)
- 21
- Phosphorus (mg)
- 67
- Potassium (mg)
- 303
- Zinc (mg)
- 0.42
- Selenium (µg)
- 1.6
Where to buy seed and equipment
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Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.
Grown Ruby Red or Rhubarb Chard?
Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.