When to plant swiss chard in zone 6b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 6B

Growing SeasonZone 6b

Last frost ~Apr 20First frost ~Oct 15Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

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Start indoors Mar 23 · Sow Apr 6 · First harvest May 26 · Wrap by Sep 15

Last spring frostApr 20

Start seeds indoorsMar 23

Direct sowApr 6

First harvestMay 26

Last harvestSep 15

Fall succession sowAug 6

First fall frostOct 15

Why these dates work in zone 6b

Zone 6b's last spring frost averages Apr 20 and first fall frost Oct 15 — about 178 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 6 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does swiss chard take to grow in zone 6b?

Swiss Chard matures in about 50–60 days from sowing. In zone 6b that means sowing around Apr 6 and first picking around May 26.

Will swiss chard survive frost in zone 6b?

Yes — swiss chard tolerates light frost. In zone 6b you can sow a little before the last frost (around Apr 20) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 15).

Can I plant a second crop of swiss chard in zone 6b?

Yes — in zone 6b there's time for a fall sowing around Aug 6 for a second harvest before frost.

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