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How to Grow Fordhook Giant Swiss Chard From Seed

By Maxim Kaufman — Founder & CEO, Organo Republic

Updated July 2026

Fordhook Giant is a vigorous, dependable Swiss chard with large, dark-green savoyed leaves and broad, bright white stems. Ready for cut-and-come-again harvest in about 55 days, it keeps producing all season as you pick the outer stalks. Both the crisp white stems and the crinkled leaves are edible, and the plant shrugs off summer heat and light frost alike. It is one of the most forgiving, productive greens you can grow from a single planting.

This is the quick guide to Fordhook Giant. For the full step-by-step on starting seeds, sowing, feeding, and troubleshooting Swiss chard, see our complete guide to growing Swiss chard from seed.

Quick start

Direct sow Fordhook Giant after your last frost, or start indoors 3 to 4 weeks earlier, planting seeds about half an inch deep and thinning to 8 to 12 inches apart. Give full sun to part shade and steady moisture in rich soil. Begin cut-and-come-again harvest at around 55 days by picking the outer stalks, and the plant will keep pushing new leaves from the center. A single spring planting often produces from early summer right through fall.

Best tip

Fordhook Giant is unusually forgiving of both heat and cold, which is what makes it so productive. Unlike spinach it resists bolting in summer warmth, and it also tolerates light frost, so one planting can carry you across seasons. Keep moisture even and harvest the outer stalks regularly to keep tender new growth coming. In hot regions like the South, a little afternoon shade keeps leaves lush; in cold zones, a row cover extends the harvest well into fall.

At a glance

How to Grow Fordhook Giant Swiss Chard From Seed — growing specifications at a glance
Botanical name	Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris
Plant type	Biennial grown as an annual
USDA zones	2 to 11 (grown as an annual)
Sun	Full sun to part shade (6+ hours ideal)
Days to maturity	About 55 days (baby leaves sooner)
Height	18 to 24 inches
Spacing	8 to 12 inches apart
Water	Consistent and even; about 1 to 1.5 inches per week

Uses

Fordhook Giant gives you two vegetables in one. Cook the broad white stems like a mild, tender celery or asparagus, starting them a few minutes ahead, then add the chopped dark-green leaves to sautés, soups, frittatas, and pasta. Young leaves are excellent raw in salads. Productive and mild, it is a reliable everyday green for the whole growing season.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Fordhook Giant chard take to grow?

Fordhook Giant is ready for cut-and-come-again harvest in about 55 days. Pick outer stalks as they reach full size and the plant will keep pushing new leaves from the center all season long.

Can you eat the white stems of Fordhook Giant chard?

Yes. The broad white stems are a highlight of Fordhook Giant. They take a little longer to cook than the leaves, so slice and start them first, then add the chopped dark-green leaves near the end for a tender, well-cooked result.

Does Fordhook Giant chard come back after cutting?

It does. Chard is a cut-and-come-again crop. Harvest the outer stalks and leave the central growing point intact, and Fordhook Giant will regrow steadily, often producing from spring right through fall from a single planting.

Does Fordhook Giant chard tolerate heat and cold?

Fordhook Giant is unusually versatile. Unlike spinach it stands up to summer heat without bolting quickly, and it also tolerates light frost, so a single planting can carry you through both warm and cool weather.

Ready to grow your own? Fordhook Giant seeds give you a vigorous, cut-and-come-again chard with dark leaves and broad white stems that produces all season. For the full step-by-step, see our complete Swiss chard growing guide linked at the top of this page.

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By Maxim Kaufman — Founder & CEO, Organo Republic

Maxim founded Organo Republic in 2017 and personally selects, tests, and grows the heirloom, non-GMO varieties the company offers. Under his leadership, Organo Republic was named Agri Business Review’s Top Non-GMO Seed Variety Solution 2026.