How to Grow Rainbow Chard Fordhook Giant
Rainbow Chard Fordhook Giant
Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla
vegetableRainbow Chard Fordhook Giant is a stunning leafy green vegetable featuring large, crinkled leaves in vibrant shades of red, yellow, orange, pink, and white with colorful stems. It is an improved variety of Swiss chard known for its impressive size, productivity, and ornamental appeal. This cool-season crop is highly nutritious, productive, and relatively easy to grow.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-10; best performance in zones 3-9
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Growth Stages
Germination & Seedling
2-3 weeksSeeds sprout within 7-14 days, developing first true leaves. Seedlings are delicate with thin stems.
Keep soil consistently moist. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once they develop 2-3 true leaves. Provide bright light to prevent stretching. Maintain temperatures between 50-70°F.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops multiple large, deeply crinkled leaves with prominent colored stems. Growth is rapid; foliage expands significantly.
Water regularly and maintain consistent moisture. Apply balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks or side-dress with compost. Remove any flower spikes that appear. Monitor for pests.
Leaf Development & Maturation
Ongoing, 2-3 weeks to first harvestPlant reaches full size with large, tender leaves up to 12 inches long. Stems become thick and succulent. Plant is highly ornamental with vibrant colors.
Continue regular watering. Begin harvesting outer leaves when they reach desired size. Pinch out any flower buds to promote continued leaf production. Feed lightly if growth slows.
Harvesting & Prolonged Production
4-8 weeks or until first frostPlant produces continuously when leaves are regularly harvested. Outer leaves mature while inner leaves continue developing.
Harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage new growth from the center. Cut leaves 1-2 inches above the base. Water consistently during warm periods. Continue fertilizing monthly.
Cold Tolerance & Season Extension
Until hard freezeChard becomes sweeter and more tender after light frost. Plant may continue producing into fall and early winter in mild climates.
Chard tolerates light frost (down to 20°F) and becomes sweeter. Harvest more frequently as growth slows. Reduce watering slightly in cool weather. Mulch to protect roots.
Common Pests
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Remove infested leaves. Use floating row covers during early season. Introduce parasitic wasps. Spinosad spray as last resort.
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Spray with strong water jet to dislodge. Use insecticidal soap. Release ladybugs or lacewings. Neem oil as needed.
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Use floating row covers on young plants. Apply diatomaceous earth. Spinosad spray if infestation is heavy.
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Yellow sticky traps. Insecticidal soap or neem oil. Remove heavily infested leaves.
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Increase humidity and water spray. Insecticidal soap or sulfur spray. Neem oil in severe cases.
Uses
Fresh cooking & sautéing
CulinaryRainbow Chard's tender leaves and colorful, mild-flavored stems are excellent raw in salads or cooked by sautéing, steaming, or braising. The vibrant colors add visual appeal to dishes. [source]
Soups & stews
CulinaryThe hearty leaves hold up well in soups, stews, and grain bowls. Both leaves and stems can be used; chop stems separately as they take slightly longer to cook. [source]
Nutritional & antioxidant benefits
MedicinalRainbow Chard is exceptionally high in vitamins K, A, C, and magnesium, plus contains betalains and polyphenols with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The varied colors indicate different beneficial phytonutrients. [source]
Natural dye production
HouseholdThe colorful stems can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics and craft projects, producing reds, yellows, and pinks depending on the stem color used. [source]
Pollinator & beneficial insect support
WildlifeIf allowed to flower, chard provides nectar and pollen for bees and beneficial insects. Growing chard near flowers creates a diverse garden ecosystem. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Begin harvesting outer leaves when they reach 6-8 inches long, typically 50-60 days after planting. Cut or pinch leaves 1-2 inches above the soil line. Harvest regularly to encourage continuous production; plants that are harvested frequently produce more tender new growth. Young, tender leaves are sweeter. Chard is sweeter and more tender after a light frost. Continue harvesting until the first hard freeze. Morning harvest yields the crispest leaves.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Rainbow Chard is not naturally multicolored; different color varieties were selectively bred and hybridized to create the vibrant mix we see in seed packets. Each seed may produce plants with different colored stems.
- 🌱 Chard is extremely cold-hardy and can produce fresh greens well into winter in many climates; a light frost actually improves the flavor by converting starches to sugars.
- 🌱 The 'Fordhook Giant' designation refers to an older heirloom cultivar known for unusually large leaves and stems; it's been celebrated since the 1930s for its productivity and vigor.
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