Chard- Fordhook
Beta vulgaris var. cicla
Fordhook swiss chard is a cool season garden classic. It's smooth white stalks and veins, contrast beautifully with broad rich green crinkly leaves, which are actually a bit broader than other chards. This variety reaches maturity in 55-60 days, and can be harvested as early as 30-40 days for baby greens, which are more ideal for eating raw in a salad. Mature leaves are delicious stir-fried or in soups. All chards are packed with copious amounts of vitamins K, A, and C! Also a good source of dietary fiber, magnesium, potassium, iron, calcium, copper, zinc, phosphorus and vitamin E! Despite their name, swiss chards originate from the Mediterranean region, where it has long been prized for it's lengthy growing season and tolerance of sandier soils, not to mention its nutrition and flavor.
Days to germination | 7-14 days |
Days to maturity | 30-60 days |
Life cycle | Biennial |
Plant time | August-April |
Spacing | 20-24 in. |
Sun | full sun part shade |
Soil temperature | 50-85 degrees F |
Optimum soil P.H | 6.0-6.5 |
Height | 20-30in |
Harvest | October through June |