Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla var. flavescens 'Fordhook Giant'
chard 'Fordhook Giant'
A strong, vigorous and very productive dark green and leafy swiss chard with crisp white stems and a strong, earthy flavour. If sown in July, leaves can be harvested in the winter months through until March. A heritage variety introduced in 1934
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green | ||
| Autumn | White | Green | ||
| Winter | White | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Amaranthaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Beta can be annual, biennial or perennial plants, often with rosettes of basal leaves and thick, fleshy roots. The genus includes a range of wild species, as well as cultivated food crops such as beetroot, chard and sugar beet
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile soil in full sun or partial shade. Add compost or well-rotted manure in the autumn and keep watered in dry conditions. See chard cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
Suggested planting locations and garden types
Pruning
No pruning required. Remove outer leaves when large enough
Pests
May be susceptible to birds, cutworms, lettuce root maggot, root aphid, root knot eelworm and slugs and snails
Diseases
May be susceptible to grey mould, lettuce downy mildew, mosaic virus and ring spot
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