Beans and Chard questions

Hello All

Haven't been on here for donkeys, tried to log on various times and get a new password etc. but somehow couldn't sort it out, other things got in the way etc, so had to sign up again. Hope all are well. Built new raised beds this year so I'm late getting my veg and have a couple of questions

1. Fine Beans 'Vibel' - bought these on spec but there is no instructions or info about height and how to plant? Anyone have any experience with these?

2. Swiss Chard vs Leaf Beet - I understand these are much of a muchness from the same beet family but I'm going to sow some seeds of each, how tall do they grow and what is the best spacing for plants in their final growing rows?

Cheers
Freddi (ex GG)

 

Hi Freddi I grow swiss chard in normal garden soil exposed to all weather, soil may not have manure dug in, they grow for me only about a foot high (12") and just over a foot wide, but I think you could get away with growing them 1 ft (12") apart if you are like me and pick leaves as required and remove the ones that have been spoiled. I'm in the UK but I daresay in a hotter climate these could grow a lot bigger. Can't help you with anything else. Good luck with your growing.

 

Welcome Back Freddi

Swiss Chard is sweeter that leaf beet, I grow mine quite close together, about 6 inches.
Same as Happy, about a foot tall.

Not heard of Vibel i'm afraid.

 

I spaced my chard/leaf beet quite far apart because that's what the book said. The book was wrong, and next time I'll be growing them much closer together.

I don't know if mine is a different type, but some of the red ones reached about 3ft, but most only about 1ft. The ones that reached 3ft I suspect had bolted because they were pretty bitter.

 

You'm right, they seem to support each other grown closer.

 

Thanks all. Nice I have been missed, if only by one person

Strange that my local nursery would be selling the Vibel beans and seach as I might have found nowt on le web. Bizarre.

Showery here, so perfect for getting things planted if only I didn't have a bloomin' cold starting.

Cheers

 

I've drawn a blank on that too.

Fine beans are usually very tender, so keep them out of the wind, it killed mine stone dead a few years back.

 

I plant about 12" apart which is more than enough. As said above chard is a bit sweeter than leaf beet. The leafy bits cook in next to no time. We fillet the leaves and cook the thicker central veins separately as they take a bit longer but add a nice bit of colour to the plate.
It's not a bad idea to sow a late crop as early sowings will be going to seed late season and a late sowing should last into the onset of winter.