More Information
| Botanical Name |
Beta vulgaris var. cicla |
| Seeds Per Pack |
100 |
| Life Cycle |
Biennial |
| Min. Time to Germinate |
5 Days |
| Max. Time to Germinate |
20 Days |
| Depth to Sow Seeds |
1/2 in. |
| When to Sow |
Outdoors after all danger of spring frost is past, Outdoors in early spring, a month before the last spring frost |
| Growing Height |
18-24 in. (45-60 cm) |
| Plant Spacing |
9-12 in. (22-30 cm) |
| Hardiness |
N/A |
| Sun Exposure |
Full Sun, Sun to Partial Shade |
| Danger |
N/A |
| Bloom Time |
Late Fall/Early Winter, Late Summer/Early Fall, Mid-Fall |
| Soil pH Requirements |
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic), 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral), 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) |
| Days to Harvest |
50-60 |
| Propagation Methods |
From seed; direct sow after last frost, From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall |
| Seed Collecting |
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed, Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored |
Fordhook Giant produces dark green, thick, tender leaves that yield heavily even in hot weather. Swiss chard is very easy to grow; eat it like spinach or beet greens. Harvest leaves from late spring until winter.