Swiss Chard: Fordhook Giant

Botanical Name:

Beta vulgaris var. cicla

Family:

Amaranthaceae

Crop Type:

Leafy Vegetable

Other Names:

Chard; Silverbeet; Spinach Beet; Snybeet (Afrikaans)

Lifecycle:

Biennial, grown as annual

Uses:

Food (leaves and stems cooked, young leaves in salads); ornamental (colourful stems)

Swiss Chard (Fordhook Giant) is a leafy vegetable in the Amaranthaceae family, closely related to beetroot. Plants produce large, crinkled or savoyed dark green leaves on thick, white to cream-coloured stems and petioles.

Both leaves and stems are edible, cooked similarly to spinach and prepared separately due to differing cooking times. Leaves wilt rapidly after harvest but stems remain crisp.

Cultivated in mild to cool conditions, tolerating light frost and some heat; suited to year-round production in temperate climates. Fordhook Giant is noted for its vigorous growth, large leaf size, broad white stems, and reliable performance in home and market gardens.

Climate

Climate Suitability:

Mild to warm seasons; tolerates light frost; suited to year-round production in most SA regions

Frost Tolerance:

Light frost tolerant

Heat Tolerance:

Moderate to high

Sun Type:

Full sun to partial shade

Soil

Soil Texture:

Loam to clay loam

Drainage Requirement:

Moist but well-drained

Preferred pH Range:

6.0–7.0 pH

Water

Water Requirement:

Moderate

Irrigation Type:

Drip; Micro Irrigation; Sprinkler; Manual Watering

Propagation

Propagation Type:

Seed

Propagation Season:

Late summer to autumn; spring in cooler areas

Germination Days:

7–14 days

Days to Transplant:

21–35 days

Propagation Notes:

Direct sow or raise seedlings; tolerates transplanting well.

Planting

Planting Season:

Late summer to autumn; spring in cooler areas

Plants Per Square Foot:
Square Foot Method

4 per ft²

Plant Spacing:
Square Foot Method

15 cm

Plant Spacing:
Traditional Method

30–40 cm

Row Spacing:
Traditional Method

40–50 cm

Planting Systems

Container Suitable:

Yes

Container Notes:

Hydroponic Compatible:

Yes

Hydroponic Systems:

Hydroponic Notes:

Aquaponic Suitable:

Yes

Aquaponic Notes:

Companion Plants

Interplants well with shallow-rooted and brassica family crops; benefits from allium pest deterrence.

No crops on recorded.

Please contact us should you feel that this is incorrect.

Competitor Plants

Avoid planting near crops that compete heavily for the same nutrients or harbour similar pests.

No crops on recorded.

Please contact us should you feel that this is incorrect.

Pests & Diseases

Pest Types:

Aphids; Leaf Miners; Caterpillars; Slugs; Snails

Pest Control:

Use crop rotation, fine mesh covers, hand-pick pests, biological controls and approved low-toxicity treatments.

Disease Types:

Leaf spot (Cercospora), Downy mildew, Damping-off, Root rot

Disease Control:

Avoid waterlogging, rotate crops, improve airflow, use clean seed and remove infected leaves.

Harvest

Planting Season:

Late summer to autumn; spring in cooler areas

Plant Spacing:
Square Foot Method

15 cm

Plant Spacing:
Traditional Method

30–40 cm

Row Spacing:
Traditional Method

40–50 cm

Nutrition

Edible Parts:

Leaves; Stems

Reference Food State:

Raw leaves

Serving Size:

100 g

Nutrition Basis:

Per 100 g raw edible portion

Energy

Calories (kcal):

19 kcal

Calories (kj):

79 kj

Macronutrients

Total Carbohydrates:

3.74 g

Protein:

1.8 g

Total Fat:

0.2 g

Carbohydrates

Dietary Fibre:

1.6 g

Starch:

0 g

Total Sugars:

1.1 g

Fats

Monounsaturated Fat:

0.04 g

Omega-3 Fatty Acids:

0 g

Omega-6 Fatty Acids:

0.07 g

Polyunsaturated Fat:

0.07 g

Saturated Fat:

0.03 g

Trans Fat:

0 g

Minerals

Calcium:

51 mg

Chromium:

0 mcg

Copper:

0.179 mg

Iron:

1.8 mg

Iodine:

0 mcg

Magnesium:

81 mg

Manganese:

0.366 mg

Molybdenum:

0 mcg

Phosphorus:

46 mg

Potassium:

379 mg

Selenium:

0.9 mcg

Sodium:

213 mg

Zinc:

0.36 mg

Vitamins

Vitamin A:

306 mcg RE

Thiamin:
Vitamin B1

0.04 mg

Riboflavin:
Vitamin B2

0.09 mg

Niacin:
Vitamin B3

0.4 mg NE

Pantothenic Acid:
Vitamin B5

0.172 mg

Vitamin B6:

0.099 mg

Biotin:
Vitamin B7

0 mcg

Folate:
Vitamin B9

14 mcg

Vitamin B12:

0 mcg

Vitamin C:

30 mg

Vitamin D:

0 mcg

Vitamin E:

1.89 mg alpha-tocopherol

Vitamin K:

830 mcg

Recipes

Rooted Futures

Growing Change

Swiss Chard: Fordhook Giant

Spinach & Feta Quiche

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