Voting is now open to Chicagoland residents for One Seed Chicago, an "urban greening project" that provides free seeds to participants who vote. The 2011 candidates are eggplant, radish and Swiss chard, and I encourage you to vote for chard!
Judging by recent posts from Diane at the Garden of Live Flowers and Shawna at The Casual Gardener, radish is going to run away with this one, but I would like to point out that chard is one of those ornamental vegetables; it's healthy to eat and lovely to look at! Chard is very versatile too. I planted it last year after it got too hot for lettuce and spinach, and the results were crisp and colorful leafy vegetables without the bolting. Chard is delicious in salads, with a thick texture reminiscent of romaine lettuce, or it can be sauteed, steamed or stir-fried like spinach. How can you not choose this one?
All you have to do is go to the One Seed Chicago ballot and vote between now and April 1, 2011. Shortly after voting closes, participants will be mailed a packet of the winning seed. The idea is share a common seed across the area to encourage gardening and local eating. Don't worry--you do not have to be a resident of the city to vote. I live way out in the 'burbs and I still count as "Chicagoland!"
3 comments:
Well, I don't live anywhere near Illinois but I'd vote for chard any day! Love the stuff and I'm with you - it's ornamental and good for you. Hope it wins for your sake!
You wouldn't have to campaign too hard to get me to vote for chard as well! Besides being good for you, it looks so pretty in the garden. It should be a hands-down winner over radishes and eggplant any day.
Thanks for the shout-out! To be honest, I'm not sure I've ever eaten chard, and it does sound tasty! If it does, despite my best efforts, win the vote, I will be happy to try it out. Eggplant, however, is strictly ornamental in my book.
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