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Swiss Chard Growing Guide
Chenopodiaceae family
Days to Harvest55 days
SunlightPart Sun / Part Shade
Frost ToleranceLight
Spacing4/sqft (6" apart)
Germination7-14 days
HardinessSemi Hardy
Germ. Temp75°F
Start Indoors4 weeks before last frost
Growth Stages
- Seedling
- Early Vegetative
- Late Vegetative / Harvest Ready
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1a | Apr 27 | May 11 | May 11 | Jun 20 |
| Zone 1b | Apr 27 | May 11 | May 11 | Jun 20 |
| Zone 2a | Apr 17 | May 1 | May 1 | Jun 10 |
| Zone 2b | Apr 27 | May 11 | May 11 | Jun 20 |
| Zone 3a | Apr 24 | May 8 | May 8 | Jun 17 |
| Zone 3b | Apr 17 | May 1 | May 1 | Jun 10 |
| Zone 4a | Apr 7 | Apr 21 | Apr 21 | May 31 |
| Zone 4b | Apr 3 | Apr 17 | Apr 17 | May 27 |
| Zone 5a | Mar 31 | Apr 14 | Apr 14 | May 24 |
| Zone 5b | Mar 31 | Apr 14 | Apr 14 | May 24 |
| Zone 6a | Mar 31 | Apr 14 | Apr 14 | May 24 |
| Zone 6b | Mar 18 | Apr 1 | Apr 1 | May 11 |
| Zone 7a | Mar 18 | Apr 1 | Apr 1 | May 11 |
| Zone 7b | Mar 13 | Mar 27 | Mar 27 | May 6 |
| Zone 8a | Mar 8 | Mar 22 | Mar 22 | May 1 |
| Zone 8b | Feb 22 | Mar 8 | Mar 8 | Apr 17 |
| Zone 9a | Feb 20 | Mar 6 | Mar 6 | Apr 15 |
| Zone 9b | Feb 10 | Feb 24 | Feb 24 | Apr 5 |
| Zone 10a | Jan 23 | Feb 6 | Feb 6 | Mar 18 |
| Zone 10b | Dec 31 | Jan 14 | Jan 14 | Feb 23 |
| Zone 11a | Dec 31 | Jan 14 | Jan 14 | Feb 23 |
| Zone 11b | Dec 18 | Jan 1 | Jan 1 | Feb 10 |
| Zone 12a | Dec 4 | Dec 18 | Dec 18 | Jan 27 |
| Zone 12b | Dec 4 | Dec 18 | Dec 18 | Jan 27 |
| Zone 13a | Dec 4 | Dec 18 | Dec 18 | Jan 27 |
| Zone 13b | Dec 4 | Dec 18 | Dec 18 | Jan 27 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Swiss Chard?
Swiss Chard takes approximately 55 days from planting to harvest.
How much sun does Swiss Chard need?
Swiss Chard requires part sun / part shade.
How far apart should I plant Swiss Chard?
Plant Swiss Chard at 4/sqft (6" apart) using square foot gardening spacing.
Can Swiss Chard survive frost?
Swiss Chard is tolerant of light frost.
How long does Swiss Chard take to germinate?
Swiss Chard seeds germinate in 7-14 days at an optimal temperature of 75°F.
When should I start Swiss Chard seeds indoors?
Start Swiss Chard seeds indoors 4 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant -2 weeks after last frost.
Plan Your Swiss Chard Garden
Track Swiss Chard from seed to harvest with personalized frost dates, watering recommendations, and companion planting visualization.
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