Pest identification
What's eating my fordhook giant chard?
Beet leaf miner (Pegomya hyoscyami)
Signs: Extensive pale blisters and mines across the large leaf surface; advanced damage leaves brown papery patches
Control: Fine mesh covers; remove mined leaves promptly; avoid nearby beet or spinach to reduce overwintering pest population
Black bean aphid (Aphis fabae)
Signs: Colonies on shoot tips and leaf undersides; sticky deposits and wilted growth tips
Control: Insecticidal soap; encourage beneficial insects; pinch out and discard heavily infested shoot tips
Slugs and snails
Signs: Holes in lower leaves close to the ground; seedling stems severed
Control: Grit or crushed eggshell barrier around base; evening patrol with torch and bucket
Birds (pigeons)
Signs: Large leaves shredded; seedlings stripped bare
Control: Bird-proof netting over young plants until established
Keep fordhook giant chard pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Fordhook Giant Chard pests — FAQ
What is eating my fordhook giant chard?
Fordhook Giant is a large, robust chard with broad white stems and big leaves — its size makes it no more pest-resistant than other varieties. Beet leaf miner, aphids, slugs, and birds targeting young plants are the key threats. Its large leaf surface area simply offers more real estate for pest damage. Leaf miner is the standout problem.
How do I get rid of beet leaf miner (pegomya hyoscyami) on fordhook giant chard?
Extensive pale blisters and mines across the large leaf surface; advanced damage leaves brown papery patches Fine mesh covers; remove mined leaves promptly; avoid nearby beet or spinach to reduce overwintering pest population
How do I get rid of black bean aphid (aphis fabae) on fordhook giant chard?
Colonies on shoot tips and leaf undersides; sticky deposits and wilted growth tips Insecticidal soap; encourage beneficial insects; pinch out and discard heavily infested shoot tips
How do I get rid of slugs and snails on fordhook giant chard?
Holes in lower leaves close to the ground; seedling stems severed Grit or crushed eggshell barrier around base; evening patrol with torch and bucket
How do I get rid of birds (pigeons) on fordhook giant chard?
Large leaves shredded; seedlings stripped bare Bird-proof netting over young plants until established