Zone 8a covers 26 days of last-frost dates. We measured Little Rock, AR at Mar 9 and Baltimore, MD at Apr 4. 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 8a
Zone 8a's last spring frost averages Mar 15 and first fall frost Nov 19 — about 249 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 Sep 10 for a second harvest before frost.
Common questions
How long does swiss chard take to grow in zone 8a?
Swiss Chard matures in about 50–60 days from sowing. In zone 8a that means sowing around Mar 1 and first picking around Apr 20.
Will swiss chard survive frost in zone 8a?
Yes — swiss chard tolerates light frost. In zone 8a you can sow a little before the last frost (around Mar 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 19).
Can I plant a second crop of swiss chard in zone 8a?
Yes — in zone 8a there's time for a fall sowing around Sep 10 for a second harvest before frost.
For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full swiss chard growing guide →