West Coast Seeds Fordhook Giant Swiss Chard Seeds
This cold hardy heirloom variety bears dark green, highly savoyed leaves with thick, greenish white petioles. Fordhook Giant also stands up to summer heat, so it is veratile and reliable, and productive over a very long growing season. 60 days, OP.
Approx. 100 seeds
Timing: Direct sow any time between spring and late summer. Chard is moderately winter-hardy, and may perform into the following spring. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 10-30°C (50-85°F).
Seeding: Sow seeds 1cm (1/2") deep. For salad mixes, sow densely and cut as baby leaves. For full size plants, thin to 15-30cm (6-12") apart in rows 45cm (18") apart.
Growing: Swiss chard is grown for nutritious salad greens but it tends to bolt in summer heat. Swiss chard prefers loose, deep, fertile soil that has lots of added organic matter. Plenty of consistent moisture is required, especially as plants grow larger. Be sure to plant Swiss chard in full sun, but it can tolerate some shade in the summer.
Seed Specs: Canada No. 1 germination rate: 75%. Usual seed life: 3 years.