When to plant swiss chard in zone 3a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 3A

Growing SeasonZone 3a

Last frost ~May 30First frost ~Sep 10Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

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Start indoors May 2 · Sow May 16 · First harvest Jul 5 · Wrap by Sep 10

Last spring frostMay 30

Start seeds indoorsMay 2

Direct sowMay 16

First harvestJul 5

Last harvestSep 10

Fall succession sowJul 2

First fall frostSep 10

Why these dates work in zone 3a

Zone 3a's last spring frost averages May 30 and first fall frost Sep 10 — about 103 frost-free days. Swiss Chard tolerates light frost, so you can sow ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall. Starting seeds indoors 4 weeks ahead gives strong transplants ready the moment the soil warms. There's also room for a fall succession sowing around Jul 2 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does swiss chard take to grow in zone 3a?

Swiss Chard matures in about 50–60 days from sowing. In zone 3a that means sowing around May 16 and first picking around Jul 5.

Will swiss chard survive frost in zone 3a?

Yes — swiss chard tolerates light frost. In zone 3a you can sow a little before the last frost (around May 30) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Sep 10).

Can I plant a second crop of swiss chard in zone 3a?

Yes — in zone 3a there's time for a fall sowing around Jul 2 for a second harvest before frost.

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full swiss chard growing guide →