16th Street Mall bright lights Swiss chard mix is a big-city favorite: Kenny Be's Hip Tip

To know 16th Street Mall Swiss chard is to love its tender and delicious, if somewhat meaty, flavor. Originating in large, mallside Downtown Denver planters, this big-city bright lights strain of chard is a celebration of all that is colorful in the capital city of Colorado...

As illustrated in the Denver Neighborhood Seed Company packet shown above, the 16th Street Mall bright lights mix is a festive red- and yellow-stalked Swiss chard with crinkly, dark-green leaves that was developed in 2011 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the completion of Downtown Denver's landmark Daniels & Fisher Tower.

Originally considered an ornamental in 16th Street Mall planters, the leafy greens have proven to be a favorite noontime foraging material for hungry, yet dieting, downtown office workers. These leafy greens are exceptionally durable and can stand heat and light frost without bolting.

16th Street Swiss chard plants are rumored to thrive on the discarded hot-dog water from sidewalk food carts. The plant grows best in full sun, but will tolerate partial shade and the reflected sunlight of glass-covered skyscrapers.

Find the Denver Neighborhood Seed Company Seed Packet for your neighborhood: Alamo Placita arugula, Baker green peas, Bear Valley Watercress, Belcaro broccoli rabe, Berkeley broccoli, Cheesman cucumber, City Park celery, Clayton sweet potato, Country Club cabbage, Cole pole bean, East Colfax okra, Elyria-Swansea heirloom tomato, Five Points beets, Hale kale, Highland Hops, Lincoln Park Asparagus, Mar Lee sweeties cherry tomatoes, Marston crookneck squash, North Capitol Hill carrot, Park Hill pumpkin, Ruby Hill habenero, Sloan Lake purple pop top turnip, Stapleton Brussels sprout, Sun Valley horseradish, Sunnyside sunflower, University Hills parsnip, Valverde tomatillo, Wash Park condo corn, Washington Virginia Vale watermelon, West Colfax kohlrabi, Westwood zucchini, and Windsor cantaloupe.