Sunday, 14 September 2025
In My Seed Box For 2026 - Chard
Tuesday, 19 March 2024
Organic Gardening Seeds - Swiss Chard Fordhook
Organic Gardening Seeds have sent me a pack of their Swiss Chard Fordhook Giant which has been added to their catalogue for 2024. It sells for £2.99 for approximately 100 seeds.
Heavily savoyed leaves with a superb dark green colour and contrasting ivory stems that make an excellent alternative to spinach.
The flavoursome leaves are thick and tender, making an appealing steamed vegetable or a colourful addition to stir fries. Swiss Chard 'Fordhook Giant' is a well established variety from the 1920’s and remains popular today.
As the name suggests, this monster Swiss Chard grows up 60cm (24") tall, making an impressive display on the vegetable plot, or even in your flower borders!
Height: 60cm (24"). Spread: 50cm (20").
Once again the web site graphics don't reflect what printed on the actual pack. How anyone can think that you could possibly harvest the same month you sow is beyond me. Their webmaster needs to start reading the back of the packs and using their brain a little.
Sow March to August and Harvest May to November.
Sowing Instructions
Sow seeds thinly, 1cm (1/2") deep in drills 30cm (12") apart. Sow little and often for a continuous supply. Cloche later sowings for harvesting into December.
Tuesday, 4 October 2022
In My Seed Box for 2023 - Chard
Do I try growing it and see if I like it OR
Do I buy some and try it before making my mind up about sowing it?
- Use the deep green leaves in place of spinach. The white mid-ribs are delicious when cooked like asparagus. Also known as Seakale Beet.
- Pack size: 250 Seeds
WHEN TO SOW
March to JulyWHERE TO SOW
Sow direct in a well prepared, moist, fertile growing site in full sun or partial shade. Sow seeds thinly at a depth of 2cm (3/4") in drills 35-40cm (14-16") apart.WHAT TO DO NEXT
As seedlings appear, gradually thin until 20cm (8in) apart. Leaves are best harvested by pulling rather than cutting.MATURITY
June to OctoberHANDY TIP
Ideal for stir-fry cooking. Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to the water when boiling the stalks to preserve the white colour.NUTRITIONAL VALUES
Rich in Beta carotene, calcium, iron and folic acid.
WHEN TO SOW
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Sow
- Plant
- Harvest
Sunday, 3 October 2021
In My Seed Box for 2022 - Chard
Do I try growing it and see if I like it OR
Do I buy some and try it before making my mind up about sowing it?
- Use the deep green leaves in place of spinach. The white mid-ribs are delicious when cooked like asparagus. Also known as Seakale Beet.
- Pack size: 250 Seeds
WHEN TO SOW
March to JulyWHERE TO SOW
Sow direct in a well prepared, moist, fertile growing site in full sun or partial shade. Sow seeds thinly at a depth of 2cm (3/4") in drills 35-40cm (14-16") apart.WHAT TO DO NEXT
As seedlings appear , gradually thin until 20cm (8in) apart . Leaves are best harvested by pulling rather than cutting.MATURITY
June to OctoberHANDY TIP
Ideal for stir-fry cooking. Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to the water when boiling the stalks to preserve the white colour.NUTRITIONAL VALUES
Rich in Beta carotene, calcium, iron and folic acid.
WHEN TO SOW
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Sow
- Plant
- Harvest



