When to plant swiss chard
Swiss chard timing, counted from your average last spring frost and first fall frost. Tolerates summer heat better than most greens.
| Season | cool-season, semi to frost |
|---|---|
| Start indoors | 6 weeks before to 4 weeks before the last frost |
| Transplant | 2 weeks before to 1 week after the last frost |
| Sow outdoors | 2 weeks before to 2 weeks after the last frost |
| Fall sowing | 10 weeks before to 8 weeks before the first fall frost |
| Soil temperature to germinate | 40°F or warmer |
| Days to maturity | 50–60 days from seed |
| Spacing | 8–12 in apart, rows 18–24 in apart |
| Seed depth | 0.5 in |
Example dates
| Place | Dates |
|---|---|
| Austin, TX (78701) | Start seeds indoors: Jan 27–Feb 10; Transplant: Feb 24–Mar 17; Sow outdoors: Feb 24–Mar 24; Fall sowing: Sep 8–22 |
| Atlanta, GA (30303) | Start seeds indoors: Feb 10–24; Transplant: Mar 10–31; Sow outdoors: Mar 10–Apr 7; Fall sowing: Aug 30–Sep 13 |
| St. Louis, MO (63101) | Start seeds indoors: Feb 18–Mar 4; Transplant: Mar 18–Apr 8; Sow outdoors: Mar 18–Apr 15; Fall sowing: Aug 26–Sep 9 |
| Chicago, IL (60614) | Start seeds indoors: Feb 27–Mar 13; Transplant: Mar 27–Apr 17; Sow outdoors: Mar 27–Apr 24; Fall sowing: Aug 27–Sep 10 |
| Denver, CO (80202) | Start seeds indoors: Mar 19–Apr 2; Transplant: Apr 16–May 7; Sow outdoors: Apr 16–May 14; Fall sowing: Aug 3–17 |
| Seattle, WA (98101) | Start seeds indoors: Jan 30–Feb 13; Transplant: Feb 27–Mar 20; Sow outdoors: Feb 27–Mar 27; Fall sowing: Sep 8–22 |
Every ZIP page has its own dates. Find your ZIP.
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Sources
- University of Missouri Extension: G6201: Vegetable Planting Calendar
- K-State Research and Extension: MF315: Vegetable Garden Planting Guide
- University of Maryland Extension: When to Plant Vegetables
- NC State Extension: Central North Carolina Planting Calendar for Annual Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs
- UF/IFAS Extension (EDIS): SP 103/VH021: Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide
- Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC: Planning a Garden
Summarized in our own words from public extension publications.
All vegetables · Your ZIP's planting calendar
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