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Fordhook Giant Chard

seeds
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$3.25
Item: 3031-A
$3.75
Item: 3031-B
$4.25
Item: 3031-C
$6.00
Item: 3031-D
$9.50
Item: 3031-E
$19.75
Item: 3031-K
Beta vulgaris
(50 days) Open pollinated.

Broad white stems, leaves dark green and savoyed with white veins. The standard variety, introduced by Burpee in 1934. Strains of green swiss chard have been around since 1750.

Supplier Transparency:
② Family-owned companies or cooperatives, domestic and foreign
④ Multinational corporations not to our knowledge engaged in genetic engineering
ships year-round
Quick Details
Hybrid Status
open pollinated
Days to Maturity
50 days
Color
white-ribbed dark green
Lifecycle
biennial grown as an annual
Compare
Compare with other Chard
Variety Product Type Hybrid Status Days to Maturity Color Lifecycle
Fordhook Giant seeds open pollinated 50 days white-ribbed dark green biennial grown as an annual
Argentata seeds open pollinated 55 days white-ribbed deep green biennial grown as an annual
Perpetual Spinach seeds open pollinated 55 days green biennial grown as an annual
Bali seeds open pollinated 55 days for bunching, 35-40 days baby leaf red-ribbed dark green biennial grown as an annual
Bright Lights seeds open pollinated 56 days colorfully-ribbed green biennial grown as an annual
Bali
Organic 		seeds open pollinated 55 days for bunching, 35-40 days baby leaf red-ribbed dark green biennial grown as an annual
Golden Sunset
Organic 		seeds open pollinated 56 days yellow-ribbed green biennial grown as an annual
Silverado
Organic 		seeds open pollinated 56 full size; 30 days baby leaf white-ribbed deep green biennial grown as an annual
Red Rhubarb
Organic 		seeds open pollinated 59 days red-ribbed dark green biennial grown as an annual
Rhubarb Supreme
Organic 		seeds open pollinated 60 days red-ribbed dark green biennial grown as an annual
Additional Information

Greens

  • Days to maturity are from emergence after direct seeding.
  • All greens are open-pollinated except where noted.

Culture: When to harvest greens? Research from trials conducted in England and Kenya showed looseleaf lettuce, red chard and arugula harvested in the evening had a longer shelf life than when picked in the morning.

Chard

  • About 1,000–2,800 seeds/oz. Seed size varies by variety
  • Days to maturity are from seeding date. Subtract 20 days for transplants.

Salzer’s 1915 catalog opines, “Swiss chard produces more food for the table than almost any other vegetable and it also requires less care; it yields a constant crop from July to winter.” Same species as beets.

Culture: Hardy and easy to grow. Can be sown almost as soon as ground can be worked in spring. Minimum germination temperature 40°, optimum range 50–85°. Space according to use—can be direct-seeded 2" apart for baby-leaf harvest; thin to 12–16" apart for large leaves. Soften thick ribs of chard, beets and other greens by braising. Also used for microgreens.

Disease: Cercospora Leaf Spot (CLS) looks like someone shot small target-like circles in mature foliage. Prolonged periods of rain and high humidity exacerbate this disease. Rotating crops, removing plant debris, and wider row spacing for adequate air circulation are preventive measures.

Germination Testing

For the latest results of our germination tests, please see the germination page.

Our Seeds are Non-GMO

Non GMO

All of our seeds are non-GMO, and free of neonicotinoids and fungicides. Fedco is one of the original companies to sign the Safe Seed Pledge.

Shipping

From early May through mid-December, items shipping from our garden seeds warehouse ship twice a week, usually Tuesday and Thursday. For quickest turnaround time order online by noon Monday or Wednesday.