Swiss Chard Fordhook Giant Seeds

If you are looking for a powerhouse green that delivers massive yields from early spring right through the autumn chills, Fordhook Giant Swiss Chard is the definitive choice. This time-tested heirloom has been a staple in backyard plots and market gardens for over a century, prized for its sheer vigor and reliability.

Fordhook Giant is instantly recognizable by its broad, pearlescent white stems and vast canopy of heavily puckered, dark green leaves. Unlike more delicate greens, this variety is exceptionally robust, holding up beautifully to summer heat and proving highly resilient against light frosts. Sweeter and milder than spinach when cooked, it provides a steady stream of nutrient-dense greens for your kitchen all season long.

Key Highlights:

Maturity: 50–60 days

Growth Habit: Cut-and-come-again (harvest outer leaves for continuous growth)

Plant Type: Open-Pollinated Heirloom

Resilience: Exceptional cold hardiness and excellent heat tolerance

Quick-Reference Growing Guide

When to Plant: Direct sow into the garden as soon as the soil can be worked in spring, up until mid-summer for a fall crop.

Depth & Spacing: Sow seeds ½ inch (12mm) deep. Space seeds 2 inches apart, and later thin the seedlings to 8–12 inches apart to give these massive plants room to spread.

Sun & Soil: Thrives in Full Sun to Partial Shade. Prefers fertile, compost-rich soil that retains moisture well.

Watering: Provide consistent, even watering. Dry soil can cause the stalks to become stringy or bitter.

Garden Buddies: Plant alongside onions, carrots, radishes, and bush beans. Avoid planting next to beets.

How to Harvest:

For a non-stop harvest, always pick the outermost leaves first by cutting or snapping them off near the soil line. Keep the center crown untouched, and the plant will keep pumping out fresh foliage until the ground freezes.