Fordhook Giant

SKU: SW750
Fordhook Giant Swiss chard seeds produce dark green, very savoyed leaves are borne on thick, greenish-white stalks. This cold-hardy variety is versatile, reliable, decorative and flavourful. It can also stand up well in summer heat. Read More

Exposure Full-sun

Matures in 60 days

Season Cool season

Seed type OP ?

Fordhook Giant has a rating of 4.7 stars based on 3 reviews.
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Fordhook Giant

Product Details

Fordhook Giant Swiss chard seeds produce dark green, very savoyed leaves are borne on thick, greenish-white stalks. This cold-hardy variety is versatile, reliable, decorative and flavourful. It can also stand up well in summer heat. The Fordhook in its name refers to Fordhook Farm, which was a research farm run for the Burpee seed company from the 1750s until 1981. It's called Giant because the leaves rise a full 60 to 70cm (24-28") above the ground, with stalks that are 7cm (2.5") wide. Fordhook Giant Swiss chard seeds perform well, and provide abundant crops all season, even after light frost. It is noted to be particularly good for poultry feed as well. Winner of the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Matures in 60 days. (Open-pollinated seeds)

Quick Facts:

    • Dark green, very savoyed leaves
    • Useful, versatile, reliable
    • Does well in summer heat
    • Open-pollinated seeds
    • Matures in 60 days

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Fordhook Giant

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All About Fordhook Giant

Latin

Latin
Beta vulgaris var. cicla
Family: Amaranthaceae

Difficulty

Difficulty
Easy

Season & Zone

Season & Zone
Season: Cool season
Exposure: Full sun

Timing

Timing
Direct sow any time from early spring to mid-summer. Chard is moderately winter hardy and may perform into the following spring where winters are mild. Optimal soil temperature: 10-30°C (50-85°F). Seeds should sprout in 7-14 days.

Starting

Starting
Sow seeds 1cm (½”) deep, spaced 10-30cm (4-12″) apart in rows 45cm (18″) apart.

Days to Maturity:

Days to Maturity: From direct sowing.

Growing

Growing
Ideal pH: 6.0-6.5. Swiss chard prefers loose, deep, and fertile soil that is rich in organic matter. Plenty of consistent moisture is required, especially as plants grow larger. It grows best in full sun, but will tolerate light shade in summer. A liquid fertilizer or compost tea applied twice during summer will keep chard growing well.

Harvest

Harvest
For salad mix, seed more densely and cut as baby leaves. Cut individual mature stalks using the large outer ones first.

Seed Info

Seed Info
In optimal conditions at least 75% of seeds will germinate. Usual seed life: 3 years. Per 100′ row: 220 seeds, per acre: 64M seeds.

Companion Planting

Companion Planting
Beans, Brassicas, and onions make the best companions for chard.

More on Companion Planting.

How to Grow Swiss Chard

Step 1

Timing

Direct sow any time from early spring to mid-summer. Chard is moderately winter hardy and may perform into the following spring where winters are mild. Optimal soil temperature: 10-30°C (50-85°F). Seeds should sprout in 7-14 days.

Step 2

Starting

Sow seeds 1cm (½”) deep, spaced 10-30cm (4-12″) apart in rows 45cm (18″) apart.

Step 3

Growing

Ideal pH: 6.0-6.5.

Swiss chard prefers loose, deep, and fertile soil that is rich in organic matter. Plenty of consistent moisture is required, especially as plants grow larger. It grows best in full sun, but will tolerate light shade in summer. A liquid fertilizer or compost tea applied twice during summer will keep chard growing well.

Step 4

Germination

Days to Maturity: From direct sowing.

In optimal conditions at least 75% of seeds will germinate. Usual seed life: 3 years. Per 100′ row: 220 seeds, per acre: 64M seeds.

Step 5

Harvest

For salad mix, seed more densely and cut as baby leaves. Cut individual mature stalks using the large outer ones first.

Tips

Companion Planting

Beans, Brassicas, and onions make the best companions for chard.

Customer Reviews & Questions