Fordhook Giant, Heirloom Swiss Chard Seeds

Fordhook Giant — The 1934 Burpee Heirloom Swiss Chard With Broad, Meaty 8–10" Stalks and a Long Season

Introduced in 1934 by W. Atlee Burpee & Co., Fordhook Giant is now a beloved old favorite — and for good reason. Broad, meaty, celery-like pale green stalks measuring 8–10 inches support large, dark green, savoyed, fleshy leaves that are wonderfully tender and juicy, packed with vitamins and minerals. Plants reach 22 inches tall and are vigorous growers with a long growing season, providing fresh greens from early summer into fall — and year-round in mild climates. Young leaves are excellent in salads; mature leaves and stalks shine steamed, sautéed, or in soups. An outstanding container variety too. 50–60 days.

Why Grow Fordhook Giant?

• 1934 Burpee heirloom — 90+ years of proven home garden performance
• Broad, meaty 8–10" pale green stalks — wonderfully tender and juicy
• Large, savoyed dark green leaves — packed with vitamins and minerals
• Long growing season — early summer into fall, year-round in mild climates
• Great container variety — productive in pots and raised beds
• Open-pollinated heirloom — save seed year after year

Growing Notes

Direct sow outdoors 2–4 weeks before last frost, or start indoors 4–6 weeks before transplanting. Sow seeds ½ inch deep, 6 inches apart, in rows 18 inches apart in full sun to part shade. Thin to 12 inches apart. Keep soil consistently moist. Harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage continued production — do not harvest more than one-third of the plant at once. Tolerates light frost. Succession sow for continuous harvest.

Packed and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for flavor, resilience, and your garden’s success.