Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners is a citizen science program





'Bright Lights' Swiss Chard
 
Sub-Category: None
 
Sub-Category 2:
Description: Open-pollinated. 20-inch plants with dark-green, bronzed, moderately savoyed leaves with stems, midribs and secondary veins showing gold, yellow, orange, and pink intermediate pastels and stripes.. All American Selection 1998. Harvest baby leaves in 28 days. Around 50-60 days to maturity.
AAS Winner in the year 1998
Days To Maturity: 50-60
Seed Sources: Gurneys Seed & Nursery Co. - updated in 2019
Burpee Seeds - updated in 2016
Totally Tomato - updated in 2016
Park Seed - updated in 2016
Henry Field's Seed and Nursery Co. - updated in 2016
Johnny's Selected Seeds - updated in 2016
Thompson & Morgan US Seed Co. - updated in 2016

 
Rating Summary
 
Overall: (4.8 Stars)Overall
Taste: (4.7 Stars)Taste
Yield: (4.7 Stars)Yield
Ease/Reliability: (4.9 Stars)Ease/Reliability
 
Reviews
 
Login to share your Review of Bright Lights.

Number of Reviews: 39

Sort Reviews By:
  [Help]
KEY: O=Overall Rating, T=Taste, Y=Yield, E=Ease

Reviewed on 09/19/2020 by Halfmoon Charlie - An intermediate gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Saratoga, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Besides being the best tasting chard ever, the yield has been tremendous, and the plants are a beautiful addition to the garden. Pick early and often.
 

Reviewed on 10/26/2017 by CCE Nassau County NY - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Nassau, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Planted on May 16. These plants were healthy but stunted due to placement near Cauliflower Veronica. The huge cauliflower plants shaded the chard. After the cauliflower was done and removed, the chard grew quickly. Harvest was fairly low because of its later growth spurt. Not the fault of the chard.
 

Reviewed on 10/18/2017 by Debbie L - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Orange, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Beautiful plants. Great performer and great flavor.
 

Reviewed on 10/12/2017 by Cutler Botanic Garden - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Broome, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Seeds planted 4/25/17. Picking weekly, prolific producer, great taste.
 

Reviewed on 02/09/2015 by RebeccaD - An intermediate gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Jefferson, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Not Sure
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Have grown for a couple of years. Last year had a planter in the front yard and had wonderful comments from those passing by on how pretty it looked. Also had a bright yellow one in a tree stump. Absolutely no problems from disease or bugs and serves as a great ornamental. Use the stalks like celery and fill with cream cheese or peanut butter. The little ones loved it and had a vitamin boost!
 

Reviewed on 01/23/2015 by Debbie L - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Orange, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Good performer.
 

Reviewed on 01/21/2015 by kansamuse - An intermediate gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Dickinson, Kansas, United States
Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

This has been a winner chard in my garden. It tolerates the heat very well, I do not have disease problems and very few insect issues. It has a great taste and looks pretty in the garden and on the plate if gently cooked to preserve the colors.
 

Reviewed on 11/29/2014 by CCE Oneida County - An intermediate gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Oneida, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Beautiful, large, colorful leaves that we harvested in early July all the way through October. Used raw in salads the leaves are crisp and crunchy; cooked with oil and garlic, has outstanding flavor. Definitely the highlight of our 2014 garden.
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 07/21/2014 by edeven - A novice gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Porter, Indiana, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Not Sure
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Not quite as tasty as Fordhook, and the yellow stalks fade to white by the time they're big enough to harvest. Stalks also don't get as big as I like them to be. But the colors are fun - the kids like them, they make a pretty contrast to the white-stemmed chard, and the colorful stems are great for a quick and prety refrigerator pickle (eat 'em fast, the color fades). Trouble-free growing and abundant, if not quite as ridiculously productive as Fordhook.
 

Reviewed on 11/11/2013 by CCE Oneida County - An intermediate gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Oneida, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Always a winner in both taste and looks. Easy to grow.
 

Reviewed on 03/18/2012 by kansa - An intermediate gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Dickinson, Kansas, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

This is so pretty you can grow in your flower bed. It is also very easy to grow and tastes good for steaming and soups. I grow this every year and I protected it over the winter here in zone 6a with protection of a row cover.
 

Reviewed on 03/30/2011 by mwendell - An intermediate gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Fairfield, Connecticut, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Not Sure
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Couldn\'t be easier to grow and eat. I plant directly outside, then thin and eat the thinnings. When young, the leaves are delicious in salads. Then I just cut of stalks from the outside of the plant as needed.
 

Reviewed on 02/12/2011 by Melancut - An intermediate gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

San Joaquin, California, United States
Frost Free Season: More than 203 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Very easy to grow, low maintenance, very long lasting yield. Serves double-duty as an ornamental for "winter color" in our front yard.
 

Reviewed on 01/22/2011 by Ferdzy - An intermediate gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Ontario, Canada
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

The most beautiful of the chards, and an easy plant to grow. Our biggest pests (literally) were the deer, but other critters tried to get at it too. If you can keep the things with teeth away, the bugs don't do much damage. The other animal that loved this chard was goldfinches, believe it or not. We couldn't figure out what was eating the very tops of the largest leaves until finally we spotted them. We left those leaves to them and picked the next size down, and they lasted from June until November. We froze some of the chard and I have to say it's almost more tasty to have it from frozen in the winter than from fresh in the summer. An excellent, hardy, tolerant plant and versatile vegetable.
 

Reviewed on 01/07/2011 by CarrieNew - A novice gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Oneida, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

This was easy to grow, pretty and very tasty.
 

Reviewed on 03/01/2010 by sea-kangaroo - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Santa Clara, California, United States
Frost Free Season: More than 203 days
Soil Texture: Not Sure
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Gets variable amounts of leaf miners, and in the wet part of the year a bit of powdery mildew, but otherwise not bothered by pests or disease. Big and beautiful. The small young leaves in the center are best for salad purposes (and grow back quickly).
 

Reviewed on 02/05/2010 by Joseph L - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Cache, Utah, United States
Frost Free Season: Fewer than 103 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Grew well for me without any noticeable pest or disease problems. Taste is just what you'd expect from Swiss Chard without bitterness. Nobody bought it at the farmer's market, but that's not because the plant wasn't as pretty as you could ever want.
 

Reviewed on 10/05/2009 by MarioC - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Sullivan, New Hampshire, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

In zone 4-5, this chard does well and lasts long into the cold fall. Sown by seed, it grows well and in NH's climate does not bolt or get bitter. Vibrant colors, excellent shape, and little need for mid-season foliar fert or side bed dressing. Superb in raised beds with rich humus. Re-grows well after cutting.
 

Reviewed on 03/31/2009 by jkersmanc - An intermediate gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Otsego, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

This chard stood well into the fall. It has good "plate appeal" because the colors stay after cooking.
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 03/23/2009 by margie - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Dawson, Georgia, United States
Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

This is a wonderful chard; now the only one I grow. The only problems are that the bunny rabbits like it too, so I keep it behind a 4' lattice fence.
 

Reviewed on 03/18/2009 by spedoodle - A novice gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Kent, Michigan, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

I bought my seeds from a discount web site, so they were last years leftover seeds. They sprouted well and were the easiest vegtables I have grown yet. I had fun trying to sneek them into my families meals. I had a lot more of the green and white color and only a few red and yellow. That could have been because of the age or the place I purchased the seeds from. But you can't beat 10 cents a packet for seeds.
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 03/13/2009 by Pats - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Campbell, Wyoming, United States
Frost Free Season: Fewer than 103 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Wonderful variety of colors.
 

Reviewed on 02/27/2008 by Balalaika Gap - An intermediate gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Rock Island, Illinois, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Tasted great & produced like crazy - I still have lots in my freezer (and we've been eating it regularly all winter!).
 

Reviewed on 01/18/2008 by Henbogle - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Sagadahoc, Maine, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

The perfect chard -- delicious, easy to grow, productive, beautiful, hardy, and makes for a great bouquet filler. The seeds are a bit expensive, but IMO the payoff is worth it. This will always find a place in my garden --just next year, not near enough to the fence for the chickens to reach it!
 

Reviewed on 01/08/2008 by CaseyV - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Tioga, Pennsylvania, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

I had two plantings of these in one season. They both tasted great and added a splash of color to the garden. I plan on planting more this year. A single planting produced for about a month for me.
 

Reviewed on 12/28/2007 by daveydonuts - An intermediate gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Washington, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

All of the good things I said about Fordhook Giant apply to this variety with only a couple minor alterations. It seems like some of the colors do not produce the vigorous thick stalks that Fordhook giant produces. The plant's colors and presence in the garden becomes truly striking if left unharvested.
 

Reviewed on 07/13/2007 by celeste - An intermediate gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Ada, Idaho, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

This was a so-so plant for me. I didn't find myself venturing out into the garden to harvest it for dinner, nor did it Wow me with the bright colors I had expected.
 

Reviewed on 04/23/2007 by Lila - An intermediate gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

British Columbia, Canada
Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Both beautiful to gaze upon and delicious!
 

Reviewed on 03/23/2007 by Clarksville Bob of Maryland - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Howard, Maryland, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Almost as great as Rhubarb Chard, in my experience. However, the various colors of their variety have slightly different characteristics, such as width of stems. Mature gardeners won't let that upset them.
 

Reviewed on 03/22/2007 by MikeM - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Ontario, Canada
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Looks amazing, tastes great, easy to grow. Seed is expensive, especially if you're growing in some quantity.
 

Reviewed on 12/19/2006 by hen - A novice gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Orleans, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

I grow this in my garden and my cold frame. Does well in both. Has good flavor. Produces well. Would grow again.
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 12/01/2006 by jacqespi - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Washington, Rhode Island, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Easy to grow, produces early through late season, beautiful both in the vegetable garden and with flowers. Great tasting, especially sauteed with good olive oil, garlic and some red pepper flakes. This is a staple in my garden every year.
 

Reviewed on 08/23/2006 by aromanek - An intermediate gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

San Mateo, California, United States
Frost Free Season: More than 203 days
Soil Texture: Not Sure
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

I am growing 10 of these plants in containers and they are doing great. They are beautiful, and you can cut and cut the leaves and they just keep coming back for more. I make dal (an Indian dish) and substitute the chard for spinach. As long as you leave the center leaves, this plant will spring back again and again.
 

Reviewed on 05/30/2006 by pajohnso - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Marquette, Michigan, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

This is a beautiful assortment of color and flavor. Each one is slightly different in productivity and taste, but overall excellent. Something I grow every year.
 

Reviewed on 12/27/2004 by erinerskine - An intermediate gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Minnesota, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Not Sure
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: Less than 6 hours per day

Produced way more kale than we could possibly eat. Very ornamental.
 

Reviewed on 09/16/2004 by Roberta -

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Tompkins, New York, United States
Frost Free Season:
Soil Texture:
Garden Size:
Sun Exposure:

Beautifully colored, great tasting, and highly productive. Consistently performs well all season long and in a wide-range of weather conditions. Stems and leaves hold color even after cooking (if gently cooked). Makes a wonderful ornamental border.
 

Reviewed on 09/10/2004 by EveAriel - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Oneida, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Beautiful looking, space saving, huge leaves! Season long performance with a cut-and--come-again habit. Secondary leaves are as big and bountiful as the first. Delilcious steamed gently and seasoned.
 

Reviewed on 09/03/2004 by Marcia - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

Tompkins, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Consistent performer, excellent ornamental quality! Very beautiful stems make this an edible landscaping "must have."
 

Reviewed on 11/30/-0001 by Lorrain - An experienced gardener

Overall Overall
Taste Taste
Yield Yield
Ease/Reliability Ease

,
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

no comment
 




Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners is a citizen science program, © 2004-2024, All Rights Reserved
Cornell Garden Based Learning, Cornell University College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Horticulture Section