When to plant swiss chard

Swiss chard (cool-season leafy green) is classed semi hardy in the cited extension guidance. The timing rules below are relative to your local freeze dates — enter a location to turn them into calendar dates.

The rules this site applies
MethodFrost-relative windowRule & reconciliation
Direct-sow outdoors2 weeks before the median last spring freeze, up to the freeze datePurdue: semi-hardy — 2–4 weeks before the last frost; Penn State's earliest sowing Apr 17 (−14 days) is the later start and is used.

Seed germination soil temperature: optimum 85°F (optimum range 50–85°F); minimum 40°F, maximum 95°F. Purdue HO-186-W Table 3. Cold soil below the minimum rots seed — a reason windows and soil readings both matter.

Variety assumption: First cutting about 50–60 days from seed (Penn State lists 55); tolerates summer heat better than spinach.

Crop rule sources (2)
Reviewed city pages for swiss chard
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