To harvest all-leaf Beets, shear off the whole plant about 3 inches above the soil surface and snap off older leaves. If stems are stringy, strip off leaf blades and throw out the stems. Chard is planted as Beets are. In areas with mild winters, plants will live to provide autumn and winter greens, but will almost always bolt to seed late the following spring. Pull out the plants and start over.
Chard provides more per square foot than most other vegetables and with less care.
Snap off the outer stems, leaving the central stems to grow. When cutting a lot for freezing, cut off the top growth 3 to 4 inches above the soil line. Plants will grow back if fed and watered immediately. Beets don't grow well in hot, dry weather and are only slightly frost-resistant. Early sowings sometimes bolt to seed prematurely.