What hardiness zones is Beta vulgaris 'Fordhook Giant' suitable for?

Beta vulgaris 'Fordhook Giant' is a vigorous, upright biennial (grown as an annual) in the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae) reaching 18–28 inches (45–70 cm) tall with a 12–18 inch (30–45 cm) spread. This cultivar produces a large rosette of heavily savoyed (deeply crinkled) dark green leaf blades on thick, fleshy, white petioles (stems) 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) wide with prominent white midribs. Leaf blades are 10–14 inches (25–35 cm) long, broad, oval. The thick white petioles are the defining cultivar feature, distinguishing it from multicolored 'Bright Lights' and red-stemmed 'Rhubarb' chard. Introduced by W. Atlee Burpee & Company in 1934 and remains the standard white-stemmed chard after 90+ years. The heavily savoyed foliage is more bolt-resistant than flat-leaved cultivars. Heat-tolerant; provides greens through summer when lettuce and spinach bolt. Both leaves and petioles are edible, with the thick white petioles often cooked separately (braised, gratinéed) as a vegetable in their own right. Tolerates light frost; sweetens after cold exposure.

Native Range

The species Beta vulgaris is native to the Mediterranean coast and Atlantic Europe. 'Fordhook Giant' was introduced in 1934 by W. Atlee Burpee & Company. It remains the standard white-stemmed Swiss chard cultivar after 90+ years of continuous cultivation.

Suggested Uses

Planted in vegetable gardens, raised beds, containers (3+ gallon), and seed-saving gardens. The thick white petioles are a culinary feature distinct from colorful 'Bright Lights' — braised, gratinéed, or added to gratin dishes. Leaves are sautéed, added to soups, or used raw when young. The long cultivar history (1934) and open-pollinated habit make it a standard seed-saving teaching variety alongside 'Detroit Dark Red' beet.

How to Identify

Distinguished from 'Bright Lights' by the uniformly white stems (versus multicolored yellow, orange, red, pink, purple). Distinguished from 'Rhubarb' chard by the white (versus deep red) stems. Distinguished from beet (Beta vulgaris var. vulgaris) by the thin, fibrous root (versus swollen beet root) and the thick petioles grown for foliage harvest. The heavily savoyed (deeply crinkled) dark green blades and thick white petioles with prominent white midribs are the cultivar diagnostics.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'4"

Width/Spread1' - 1'6"

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Summer

Biennial; flowers in the second year after vernalization. More bolt-resistant than flat-leaved cultivars. For seed saving, overwinter plants in the ground (Pacific Northwest) or in cold storage. Crosses with all other Beta vulgaris including beets and other chard cultivars; isolation is required for seed purity.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Greenish (second year only)

Foliage Description

Dark green, heavily savoyed (crinkled), large, broad; thick white stems (petioles) and prominent white midribs

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun Partial Shade

Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam silt clay

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Direct sow seeds 0.5 inch (1 cm) deep, 2–4 weeks before the last frost date, spacing 12 inches (30 cm) apart. Thin multigerm seed clusters to one plant per station. Successive sowings every 3 weeks extend the harvest. Harvest outer leaves at the base when 10–14 inches (25–35 cm) tall, leaving the center intact. The thick white petioles benefit from separate cooking — braised or gratinéed — as they take longer than the leaf blades. In the Pacific Northwest, 'Fordhook Giant' often overwinters in mild years, providing early spring greens before new sowings mature. Consistent moisture prevents tough, fibrous petioles.

Pruning

Harvest outer leaves at the base, leaving the growing center intact. Remove any bolting flower stalks promptly to extend leaf production. In fall, remove frost-damaged outer leaves; the crown often survives Pacific Northwest winters.