Botanical Interests Fordhook Giant Swiss Chard Seeds
Find In StoreFordhook Giant' is an old favorite with it's broad, strong stems and large leaves packed with vitamins and minerals. A vigorous grower with a long growing season, it will provide fresh greens from early summer into fall and year-round in mild climates. White stem varieties are generally more bolt and cold tolerant and more productive than colored stem varieties. Young leaves are great for salads. Glows in containers as an ornamental.
VarityLarge, glossy, dark green, deeply crumpled leaves with broad white petioles (Leafstalks).
- Days to Maturity: 50-60 Days
- Family: Amaranthaceae
- Native: Mediterranean Region, Europe
- Hardiness: Biennial; Fairly Cold Tolerant. Will Overwinter in Mild Climates and Withstand Light to Moderate Freezes
- Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade
- Plant Dimensions: Up to 24" Tall
- Attributes: Frost Tolerant
When to Sow Outside
Recommended. 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date and when soil temperature is at least 40°F, ideally 75°-90°F. Sow as late as 2M before first fall frost. Mild Climates: Sow in fall.
When to Start Inside4 to 6 weeks before transplanting out, 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date (protect from heavy freezes).
- Days to Emerge: 5-10 Days
- Seed Depth: 1/2"
- Seed Spacing: A Group of 2-3 Seeds Every 6"-8"
- Row Spacing: 18"
- Thinning: When 1/2" Tall, Thin to 1 Every 8"
Harvesting
Pick up to 1/3 of the outer leaves as needed and let more leaves grow from the center of the plant; or if desired, harvest the whole plant 2" above ground and it will grow back. Pick very young leaves, at 2"-4" for using fresh in salads.
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