Swiss Chard and Other Veggies

I had my first encounter with Swiss Chard from a packet of seeds given by a friend whose friend came from the U.S. for a visit.  I planted it at the greenhouse here in my hometown and it grew.  Whoa! The leaves were large and I didn't know how to cook it.  Well, it ended as a vegetable ingredient for a raw food demo.  I had it grown successfully, so I asked a sister in law in Canada to send me some seeds.  Well a bag of various seeds were sent, thank you and so I have sown basil (cinnamon variety), lettuces, spinach and Swiss chard.  Not having much time this year, I still managed by using our balcony as my seedling area.  It is not bad to try out vegetables that are not native to the area especially if the seeds can adapt to the local climate and conditions.  Variety is the spice of life.  I make sure however to order seeds that are not not GMO.  The seeds I usually get from outside the country are heirloom and the hybrid variety that are resistant to diseases.

"One" seed from a Swiss Chard may produce two or more seedlings.  I found this out after I noted that I only planted one seed per paper cup.