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Swiss Chard, Fordhook Giant Seeds
Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla
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Product Information
Fordhook Giant Swiss Chard is a classic heirloom variety known for its large, dark green leaves.
Fordhook Giant Swiss Chard is the perfect green to grow, even in hot weather. The broad, dark green leaves have a delicate spinach flavor. Stems are broad, thick, and white. Both the stalks and leaves are edible, making for delicious salads and quiche. It also goes well frozen or steamed with butter.
- SKU: 142283
- Common Name: Swiss Chard
- Botanical Name: Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla
Growing Information
Safe
for Bees
Grows
Best In:
Full Sun|Partial Sun
Days to
Germination:
7 - 10 days
Water
Needs:
Average 2.5-5 cm (1-2") per week
Days to
Maturity:
50 - 60 days
Best
Container Size:
30 cm+ (12"+)
Key Features
- Plant Type: Vegetable
- Plant Lifecycle: Annual
- Fill Weight (grams): 1 g
- Approximate Seed Count: 40-50
- Characteristics: Frost sensitive
- Planting Method: Direct Sow
- Water Needs: Average 2.5-5 cm (1-2") per week
- Landscape Use: Edible Garden
- Flavor: Mild and earthy taste
- Preparation Ideas: Rinse and clean leaves in water. Shake leaves to remove water. Let leaves dry on kitchen towel or paper towelling. Heat olive oil in frying pan. Add sliced or chopped garlic and cook garlic until tender and fragrant. Tear or cut swiss chard leaves into pieces. You can cut out and remove the stalks from the leaves if they are thick or your can chop the stalks into 1" pieces and pre sautee in the olive oil/garlic mixture. Fry stalks until tender (approximately 5 minutes). Lower heat add leaf pieces and fry leaves for approximately 5 minutes or until desired doneness. Stir constantly and serve immediately.
Instructions
-
Growing Instructions:
- Planting Depth: 1.3 cm (1/2")
- Seed Spacing: Sow swiss chard seeds roughly 2.5 cm (1") apart in rows, keeping rows approximately 45 cm (18") apart.
- Plant Spacing: 25 cm (10")
- Instructions for Nutrient Care: Feed plants SUPERthrive once per week. Mix 1.2 ml (1/4 tsp) per 4L (1 gallon) of water in a watering can and apply solution to the base of the plants.
Swiss chard should be sown directly into the garden when the soil is warm and all danger of frost is past. To speed up germination, soak seeds overnight in room temperature water before planting. Soil temperature (not air temperature) should be between 13-24°C (55-75°F) . Space seeds and plant to the depth indicated below. Press seeds into the soil to ensure good contact and cover with 1.3 cm (1/2") of soil. After planting, water seeds with a gentle mist or shower. It is critical to keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy during germination. When your seedlings reach a height of a few centimetres (inches) and have developed 2 or 3 pairs of leaves, it is important to thin them out, according to the plant spacing indicated below. Thinnings can be used as fresh greens. Do not allow the soil to become dry, as young plants have underdeveloped roots and can quickly dehydrate, particularly in windy conditions. Swiss chard grows quickly and more seeds can be succession planted every 10 days for 4 weeks for a continuous supply of fresh chard.
Click here to read more information on planning and planting a garden.
Suggestions
Growing Suggestions:
- Swiss chard is a member of the beet family and grows well both in cool and warm weather.
- Both the leaves and stems can be eaten cooked or raw.
- Water regularly to promote plenty of fresh leafy growth and to stop the plants from bolting. Bolting is when plants stop vegetative growth and start flowering, marking the end of the harvest.
- When plants are about 30 cm (12") tall, cut leaves back to 7-12 cm (3 -5") to encourage new tender growth. If chard plants become overgrown, they become less flavorful.
- Depending on the size of leaves you want, harvest can take place when plants are 15-20 cm (6-8") tall. Chard can be harvested as a 'cut and come again' crop. Cut off older outer leaves 4 cm (1-1/2") above the ground with a sharp knife. Avoid damaging the plant’s center and the young leaves will continue to grow.
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