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

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Showing USDA Zone 7B

Growing SeasonZone 7b

Last frost ~Apr 5First frost ~Nov 1Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

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Start indoors Mar 8 · Sow Mar 22 · First harvest May 11 · Wrap by Aug 31

Last spring frostApr 5

Start seeds indoorsMar 8

Direct sowMar 22

First harvestMay 11

Last harvestAug 31

Fall succession sowAug 23

First fall frostNov 1

Why these dates work in zone 7b

Zone 7b's last spring frost averages Apr 5 and first fall frost Nov 1 — about 210 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 7b?

Swiss Chard matures in about 50–60 days from sowing. In zone 7b that means sowing around Mar 22 and first picking around May 11.

Will swiss chard survive frost in zone 7b?

Yes — swiss chard tolerates light frost. In zone 7b you can sow a little before the last frost (around Apr 5) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 1).

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

Yes — in zone 7b 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 →