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

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Showing USDA Zone 8B

Growing SeasonZone 8b

Last frost ~Mar 15First frost ~Nov 15Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

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Start indoors Feb 15 · Sow Mar 1 · First harvest Apr 20 · Wrap by Aug 10

Last spring frostMar 15

Start seeds indoorsFeb 15

Direct sowMar 1

First harvestApr 20

Last harvestAug 10

Fall succession sowSep 6

First fall frostNov 15

Why these dates work in zone 8b

Zone 8b's last spring frost averages Mar 15 and first fall frost Nov 15 — about 245 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 6 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does swiss chard take to grow in zone 8b?

Swiss Chard matures in about 50–60 days from sowing. In zone 8b that means sowing around Mar 1 and first picking around Apr 20.

Will swiss chard survive frost in zone 8b?

Yes — swiss chard tolerates light frost. In zone 8b you can sow a little before the last frost (around Mar 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 15).

Can I plant a second crop of swiss chard in zone 8b?

Yes — in zone 8b there's time for a fall sowing around Sep 6 for a second harvest before frost.

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