Swiss Chard - Fordhook (Heirloom)

Fordhook Swiss Chard - Fordhook Swiss Chard has succulent, tender greens without the bitterness of the pigmented varieties. The young leaves of this chard can be eaten raw, but the larger ones should be cooked. They can be sauteed, grilled or baked. This vigorous plant is both cold and bolt resistant. You will have a heavy yield from spring to late fall and even into early winter in more mild climates or cold frame garden. Planting tips - Sow in open ground as soon as the ground can be worked. While it can be planted in full sun, part shade will help deter bolting in the heat of summer. Soaking the seeds in water 24 hours before planting will speed up the germination process. Thin when plants are a few inches tall. Control weeds with mulch. Prefers sun to partial shade. If planting in a container, use a 12” container or larger. If you want to keep the plants small and harvest while the stems are small, plant about 6 to 9 inches apart and harvest when the stems are about 4” in height. For larger stems, plants can be planted 9 to 12 inches apart. Seed Depth - ½ inch, Seed Spacing - 2”, Days to Germination - 7-10, Plant Spacing - 12-18 inches, Row Spacing - 18 inches, Plant Height - 12-18 inches. When harvesting, leave about 1 ½ to 2 inches of stem above the growing tip to promote more leaf growth for an extended harvest.

Saving Seeds: This plant will not set seeds until the second year of growth. Seeds change from green to tan/brown in color as they mature. Harvest when ⅔ of the seeds on a plant are mature. Cut or pull plants and move them inside to dry. Dry seeds for 7-14 days. Run a hand along dried stalks to dislodge seeds. Run seeds through a fine sieve and store in a cool, dry place for up to 5 years.