Zone 6a covers 28 days of last-frost dates. We measured Omaha, NE at Apr 14 and Flagstaff, AZ at May 12. Give us your town or ZIP and we'll use ten years of daily lows recorded at your own coordinates instead of the middle of that range.
Why these dates work in zone 6a
Zone 6a's last spring frost averages Apr 22 and first fall frost Nov 1 — about 193 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 Aug 23 for a second harvest before frost.
Common questions
How long does swiss chard take to grow in zone 6a?
Swiss Chard matures in about 50–60 days from sowing. In zone 6a that means sowing around Apr 8 and first picking around May 28.
Will swiss chard survive frost in zone 6a?
Yes — swiss chard tolerates light frost. In zone 6a you can sow a little before the last frost (around Apr 22) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 1).
Can I plant a second crop of swiss chard in zone 6a?
Yes — in zone 6a there's time for a fall sowing around Aug 23 for a second harvest before frost.
For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full swiss chard growing guide →