Giant-Swiss-Chard

How to Grow Giant Swiss Chard ('Giant Fordhook') — Planting to Harvest

Swiss chard is one of the most rewarding greens for home gardeners—productive, nutritious, and remarkably forgiving. Among the many varieties available, Giant Fordhook Swiss chard stands out as a classic heirloom that has been a garden favourite since 1934. With its broad, dark green leaves, thick white stalks, and impressive tolerance to both heat and cold, this variety delivers heavy yields from early summer through fall.

At B&KM Farms, we sustainably provide healthy food for a sweeter life, and Giant Fordhook Swiss chard is one of our standout offerings. Whether you are a beginner looking for an easy win or an experienced gardener seeking a reliable cut-and-come-again crop, this guide covers everything you need to know from seed to harvest.

Why Choose Giant Fordhook Swiss Chard?

Giant Fordhook is the standard green Swiss chard for good reason. Introduced by W. Atlee Burpee and Company in 1934, this open-pollinated variety has been trusted by generations of gardeners for its:

  • Vigorous growth: Plants reach up to 24-28 inches tall with broad, heavily crumpled (savoyed) leaves and thick, juicy white stalks.
  • Exceptional yield: Produces abundant crops all season with repeated harvests.
  • Weather tolerance: Withstands light frosts, moderate heat, and even drought better than many leafy greens.
  • Extended harvest window: Unlike spinach, which bolts quickly in warm weather, Giant Fordhook adapts beautifully to changing conditions.
  • Dual-purpose harvest: Both leaves and stalks are edible and delicious.

The flavour is often described as hearty and spinach-like, with tender leaves when young and crunchy, celery-like stalks that hold up well in cooking.

Start your Giant Fordhook journey with quality seeds from B&KM Farms, available here: Giant Fordhook Swiss Chard.

Understanding Your Seeds

Giant Fordhook Swiss chard seeds are actually dried fruits containing multiple embryos, which means each "seed" can produce several seedlings. This is worth noting when sowing to avoid overcrowding.

Key characteristics:

  • Days to maturity: 50-60 days from direct seeding
  • Germination time: 7-14 days
  • Seed viability: High germination rates when stored properly
  • Plant habit: Non-heading, with erect growing points on short stems

B&KM Farms offers premium Giant Fordhook Swiss chard seeds selected for high germination and vigorous growth. Shop the full collection at B&KM Farms.

Step-by-Step Growing Guide

1. Timing and climate

Swiss chard prefers cool to mild weather but tolerates a wide temperature range:

  • Soil temperature for germination: 40-100°F (optimum 86°F)
  • Growing season: Early spring through late fall
  • Frost tolerance: Seedlings handle light frosts; mature plants withstand moderate freezes
  • Heat tolerance: More bolt-resistant than spinach, though prolonged heat above 80°F may slow growth

In most regions, you can plant Giant Fordhook in:

  • Early spring (as soon as soil can be worked)
  • Midsummer for fall harvest
  • Late summer in mild climates for winter production

2. Soil preparation

Swiss chard is forgiving but performs best in:

  • Soil pH: 6.0-7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
  • Soil type: Loamy, well-drained soil enriched with compost
  • Fertility: Moderate nitrogen levels; avoid excessive nitrogen which can produce lush leaves but weak flavour

The beauty of Giant Fordhook is its ability to tolerate partial shade and less-than-ideal soil, making it perfect for beginning gardeners or challenging garden spots.

3. Sowing methods

You have two main options for planting Giant Fordhook Swiss chard:

Direct seeding (recommended for most gardeners)

  • Sow seeds ½ inch deep
  • Space 6 seeds per foot in rows 12-18 inches apart
  • Thin to 4-6 inches apart for full-sized plants, or 2-3 inches for baby leaf production

Because each "seed" contains multiple embryos, you will likely need to thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding.

Starting indoors

  • Sow 2-3 seeds per cell in 72- or 128-cell flats
  • Start 5-6 weeks before last frost
  • Thin to 1-2 plants per cell
  • Transplant outdoors 4-6 inches apart in rows 12-18 inches apart

Transplanting works well if you want to maximise garden space or get a jump on the season.

Order your Giant Fordhook Swiss chard seeds from B&KM Farms for reliable germination and vigorous growth.

Caring for Your Giant Fordhook Plants

Watering

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Swiss chard has moderate water needs:

  • Germination: Maintain even moisture until seedlings emerge
  • Establishment: 1 inch of water per week
  • Mature plants: Tolerate short dry spells but produce best with consistent moisture

Deep, infrequent watering encourages stronger root systems than frequent shallow watering.

Fertilising

Giant Fordhook is not a heavy feeder. A side-dressing of compost or balanced organic fertiliser mid-season is usually sufficient. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers that can produce overly lush, mild-flavoured growth.

Mulching

Apply 2-3 inches of organic mulch around established plants to:

  • Regulate soil temperature
  • Retain moisture
  • Suppress weeds
  • Prevent soil from splashing onto leaves

Pest and disease management

Swiss chard is relatively pest-free, but watch for:

  • Leaf miners: Remove affected leaves; use row covers if problems persist
  • Aphids: Blast with water or treat with insecticidal soap
  • Cercospora leaf spot: Avoid overhead watering; ensure good air circulation

Giant Fordhook shows notable field resistance to fusarium yellow and black rot diseases.

Harvesting Giant Fordhook Swiss Chard

One of the greatest joys of growing Giant Fordhook is the extended harvest period. With proper care, plants continue producing for months.

Baby leaf harvest

  • Harvest when leaves reach 3-6 inches
  • Cut about 1 inch above the soil line with a sharp knife
  • Allow 5-14 days for regrowth between harvests
  • Harvest entire young plants or cut outer leaves only

Full-size leaf harvest

  • Cut or snap mature outer leaves individually
  • Leave 4-6 inner leaves to continue photosynthesis
  • New leaves grow from the centre for multiple harvests
  • Stalks can be harvested with leaves or separately

Using the harvest

  • Young leaves: Tender enough for fresh salads
  • Mature leaves: Best cooked—sautéed, steamed, stir-fried, or added to soups and stews
  • Stalks: Crunchy and celery-like; excellent for dipping, chopping into soups, or standalone cooking

The versatility of Giant Fordhook means nothing goes to waste.

Storing and Preserving Your Harvest

Fresh Giant Fordhook Swiss chard stores in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer preservation:

  • Blanching and freezing: Blanch chopped leaves and stalks for 2-3 minutes, cool in ice water, drain, and freeze in portions
  • Dehydrating: Dry leaves for use in soups and stews throughout winter
  • Canning: Not recommended for greens due to texture degradation

FAQs: Growing Giant Fordhook Swiss Chard

1. How long does Giant Fordhook Swiss chard take to grow?

Giant Fordhook Swiss chard reaches harvest size in 50-60 days from direct seeding. Baby leaves can often be harvested sooner, around 30-35 days. The key advantage is the cut-and-come-again nature—plants continue producing for months with regular harvesting.

2. Can I grow Giant Fordhook Swiss chard in containers?

Yes. Giant Fordhook performs well in containers due to its compact root system and tolerance for various conditions. Use pots at least 12 inches deep with quality potting mix. Ensure adequate drainage and maintain consistent moisture.

3. Is Giant Fordhook Swiss chard heat and cold tolerant?

Yes. This variety is notably bolt-resistant and tolerates both light frosts and summer heat better than spinach. While extreme heat may slow growth, plants typically resume vigorous production when temperatures moderate.

4. How do I prevent my Swiss chard from bolting?

Giant Fordhook has high bolting tolerance, but prolonged exposure to temperatures in the low 50s°F during early growth can trigger premature bolting. Start seeds after heavy frosts have passed, or use transplants to bypass the vulnerable seedling stage.

5. What's the difference between Swiss chard and spinach?

While both offer leafy greens, Swiss chard (including Giant Fordhook) has:

  • Thicker, crunchier stalks that are edible and delicious
  • Better heat tolerance and slower bolting
  • Longer harvest period
  • More substantial, substantial leaves that hold up better in cooking

Many cooks use chard as a spinach substitute in recipes.

6. Where can I buy Giant Fordhook Swiss chard seeds?

Quality Giant Fordhook Swiss chard seeds are available from B&KM Farms, where we sustainably provide healthy food for a sweeter life. Order directly from our Giant Fordhook Swiss Chard product page or browse our full selection at bandkmfarms.com.

B&KM Farms

Conclusion: Grow Your Greens with Confidence

Giant Fordhook Swiss chard is the perfect introduction to serious vegetable gardening—or a reliable staple for experienced growers. Its combination of vigorous growth, weather tolerance, nutritional value, and culinary versatility makes it a top choice for home gardens across diverse climates.

From the first seeds in spring to the final harvest before winter, this heirloom variety rewards consistent care with months of fresh, delicious greens. Whether you are filling a raised bed, tending containers on a balcony, or managing a full market garden, Giant Fordhook delivers.

Start your growing season right with premium Giant Fordhook Swiss chard seeds from B&KM Farms. Visit our homepage to explore our sustainable selection, or order directly from the Giant Fordhook Swiss Chard product page today.

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