Giant Noble

Sink your spoon into Giant Noble’s lush, tender leaves—deeply saturated green with a velvety, succulent bite that feels almost plush between the fingers.

At about 50 days, this spinach forms an impressive, upright rosette of broad foliage that stays pleasantly mild and sweet for its size, making it a standout for fresh salads and quick sautéing, as well as silky sauces and hearty soups. Grow it for abundant, garden-fresh greens that look as splendid as they taste.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Rosette

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 14th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Giant Noble’s tender, plush leaf mass cooks down into a smooth, spoonable green that doesn’t get chalky or fibrous—ideal when you want spinach to stay sweet and silky. Use it hot and fast (or barely dress it) so the texture remains velvet, and let butter-and-lemon or cheese do the heavy lifting.

Best Uses

quick sauté with butter until just collapsed
blended into a silky soup base or puréed sauce
raw or lightly dressed salads to keep the plush texture
short-steeped in pasta or beans so it turns glossy, not stringy

Flavor Profile

mild, sweet spinach flavor velvety, succulent leaf bite tender texture that wilts fast into silky greens

Kitchen Pairings

butter lemon parmesan ricotta chickpeas eggs

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris var. cicla), and what should I do if I see it?

Watch for leaf miners and aphids on Swiss chard foliage; leaf miners leave winding trails and aphids cluster on new growth. Remove heavily infested leaves, blast aphids off with a strong water jet, and use insecticidal soap on affected plants in the morning, repeating every 5–7 days until pressure drops. If you see white powder on leaves (powdery mildew), improve airflow by spacing plants and water at the base rather than over the leaves, then remove infected leaves to slow spread.

How often should I water Swiss chard during the main growing phase?

During active leaf growth (roughly weeks 3–7), keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1 inch (2–3 cm) of water per week, increasing during hot, windy stretches. Water deeply so moisture reaches the root zone, then let the top 1 inch (2–3 cm) of soil dry slightly before watering again. Consistent moisture helps prevent bitter, tough leaves.

When is Giant Noble (Swiss chard) ready to harvest?

Harvest when leaves are large enough for use and stems are thick, typically around 50 days from sowing (often a few weeks longer from transplant start). For best flavor and tenderness, pick outer leaves first, cutting at the base of each leaf so the center can keep producing. If leaves become very large and the plant bolts or stalks rise quickly, harvest immediately and remove bolting stems to maintain leaf quality.