When to plant swiss chard in zone 7a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 7A

Growing SeasonZone 7a

Last frost ~Apr 15First frost ~Oct 25Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEP

Start indoors Mar 18 · Sow Apr 1 · First harvest May 21 · Wrap by Sep 10

Last spring frostApr 15

Start seeds indoorsMar 18

Direct sowApr 1

First harvestMay 21

Last harvestSep 10

Fall succession sowAug 16

First fall frostOct 25

Why these dates work in zone 7a

Zone 7a's last spring frost averages Apr 15 and first fall frost Oct 25 — 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 16 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does swiss chard take to grow in zone 7a?

Swiss Chard matures in about 50–60 days from sowing. In zone 7a that means sowing around Apr 1 and first picking around May 21.

Will swiss chard survive frost in zone 7a?

Yes — swiss chard tolerates light frost. In zone 7a you can sow a little before the last frost (around Apr 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 25).

Can I plant a second crop of swiss chard in zone 7a?

Yes — in zone 7a there's time for a fall sowing around Aug 16 for a second harvest before frost.

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