Chard, Fordhook Giant

Dark green, glossy leaves and thick succulent bright white stalks. These chard can get huge! Fordhook is the only really cold hardy chard for winter, and also does well in heat. Start seed in flats in March and plant out in April/May, 30-45cm apart. 7-14 days to germination, 60 days to maturity.

Certified organic in British Columbia. IOPA # 1606, 1105, 1920.

How to Save Swiss Chard Seed

Fast Facts

Latin: Beta vulgaris

Cross Pollination: Beets, other swiss chard varieties

Isolation distance: 800 feet

Minimum Population Size (variety maintenance): 20-50 plants

Minimum Population Size (genetic preservation): 80 plants

Learn more about cross pollination, isolation distance and population size, and why they matter in our blog post Seed Saving 101

Overwintering Swiss chard

Swiss chard is a biennial plant, so it will only produce seeds in its second year of growth. Stop picking plants you intend to grow out for seed in mid- to late- summer to ensure plants are as healthy and well developed as possible for overwintering. Where possible, overwinter Swiss chard in the ground, protecting from frost as needed. In colder climates, transfer your chard plants into pots and store in a cold room until they can be planted out next spring. 

Flowering and Seed Set

Shortly after plants begin growing in the spring they will bolt. The flowers are quite unremarkable and look like small clumps lining the flowering stalks, similar to the mature seed. Once the plants have set seed (it will be green at first but with a distinct lumpy, pitted texture), stop watering the plants to encourage seed maturation and drying. Wait until seeds are brown and dry then cut the stalks down and lay on a tarp somewhere warm with good airflow to allow the plants to dry down completely. 

Swiss Chard Seed Cleaning

Thresh the seeds by laying the entire dry seed stalks on a tarp and stomping and shuffling on the plants to detach the seeds from the stalks. It’s important that seeds are very dry at this stage to prevent them being crushed by the threshing process. Shake the threshed material through a screen, allowing the seeds to pass through and the larger debris to remain on the top. Then, winnow using wind or a fan, pouring seeds from one container to another while allowing the lighter chaff to blow away.

If you are saving a smaller amount of seed or just have more time on your hands, you may prefer to wear clean gloves and roll the seed stalks between your hands to detach the seeds. This is more time consuming but creates less mess, and may be preferable for those with limited seed cleaning space or equipment.