When to plant swiss chard in zone 8a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 8A

Growing SeasonZone 8a

Last frost ~Mar 25First frost ~Nov 10Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

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Start indoors Feb 25 · Sow Mar 11 · First harvest Apr 30 · Wrap by Aug 20

Last spring frostMar 25

Start seeds indoorsFeb 25

Direct sowMar 11

First harvestApr 30

Last harvestAug 20

Fall succession sowSep 1

First fall frostNov 10

Why these dates work in zone 8a

Zone 8a's last spring frost averages Mar 25 and first fall frost Nov 10 — about 230 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 1 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 11 and first picking around Apr 30.

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 25) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 10).

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 1 for a second harvest before frost.

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