When to plant swiss chard in zone 9a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 9A

Growing SeasonZone 9a

Last frost ~Feb 28First frost ~Nov 30Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

JANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUG

Start indoors Jan 31 · Sow Feb 14 · First harvest Apr 5 · Wrap by Jul 26

Last spring frostFeb 28

Start seeds indoorsJan 31

Direct sowFeb 14

First harvestApr 5

Last harvestJul 26

Fall succession sowSep 21

First fall frostNov 30

Why these dates work in zone 9a

Zone 9a's last spring frost averages Feb 28 and first fall frost Nov 30 — about 275 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 21 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does swiss chard take to grow in zone 9a?

Swiss Chard matures in about 50–60 days from sowing. In zone 9a that means sowing around Feb 14 and first picking around Apr 5.

Will swiss chard survive frost in zone 9a?

Yes — swiss chard tolerates light frost. In zone 9a you can sow a little before the last frost (around Feb 28) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 30).

Can I plant a second crop of swiss chard in zone 9a?

Yes — in zone 9a there's time for a fall sowing around Sep 21 for a second harvest before frost.

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