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Lucullus Swiss Chard is an heirloom variety of chard that is one of the earliest maturing Swiss chard cultivars; it will be ready to harvest in just 50 days. It is a heavy yielder and heat tolerant variety, making it an all-around low maintenance choice. Lucullus Swiss Chard showcases long, smooth, white stalks that are up to 20 inches long with large green textured leaves. Both the stalks and the leaves are delicious in many forms, whether in soup, stir-fry, stew or chopped raw into salad. The taste of the leaves is quite like that of spinach, with bitter undertones that get more mild when cooked. The stems have a more mild flavor profile with a nice juicy crunch. White Swiss Chard varieties like this one tend to be more flavorful than the other colors and tastes great when cooked with other greens. This seed can also be used to grow microgreens.
NAME: Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla)
VARIETY: Lucullus
DAYS TO MATURITY: 50 days
POLLINATION: Open Pollinated
TYPE: Annual or perennial depending on climate
HARDINESS ZONE: Zones 3 – 11
SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Sun
SOIL: Fertile, loose soil with a pH 6.0 – 6.4
PLANT HEIGHT: 16 – 24 inches
TEMP: 45 – 85 °F
These seeds do not required stratification.
To learn more about Stratification, click here!
It is not recommended to start swiss chard seeds indoors dur to its sensitive roots system that transplants poorly.
If you still choose to start your seeds indoors, plant the seeds in biodegradable pots filled with seed-starting mix, about 1/2 inch deep.
Keep the soil consistently moist and provide plenty of light, either by using grow lights or placing them in a sunny windowsill.
Transplant the seedlings outdoors once they have developed a few sets of true leaves and the soil has warmed up.
Direct sow seeds outdoors immediately after your last expected local spring frost.
Soaking the seed for 24 hours prior to planting shortens germination time.
Sow seeds in your pre-prepared bed, 1/2 inch deep and 3 inches apart in rows spaced 17 inches apart.
Keep the soil moist during germination, which should occur in 6 to 9 days; continue to keep seedlings well-watered once they emerge.
Keep in mind, each seed contains 1-4 possible seedlings.
When seedlings are 3 inches tall, thin to roughly 12 inches apart for larger plants, or 6 inches for smaller plants.
Once plants get to be 6 inches tall, mulch around the plant with compost or woodchips to manage weeds and keep soil moisture in.
To prepare your bed, choose an area that gets full sunlight throughout the day; remove rocks, weeds or debris and ensure the soil is loose and well-draining with a pH between 6.0 – 6.4.
Add 1 inch of compost to the top of your bed to boost fertility.
Stalk and leaf regeneration will occur if the plant does not bolt or get killed by the frost.
For continuous harvest, reseed more chard in other areas every two weeks.
Plant a spring and fall crop, rather than seeding in hot temperatures, which causes bolting.
Begin harvesting Lucullus Swiss Chard when the leaves are young and tender, typically when the plants are at least 8 inches in height.
Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the outer leaves at the base of the plant, allowing the inner leaves to continue growing.
Harvest regularly to encourage continuous production throughout the growing season.
Avoid harvesting more than one-third of the plant at a time to ensure its continued growth and productivity.
