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

Not your zone?

Showing USDA Zone 9B

Growing SeasonZone 9b

Last frost ~Feb 15First frost ~Dec 10Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

JANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJUL

Start indoors Jan 18 · Sow Feb 1 · First harvest Mar 23 · Wrap by Jul 13

Last spring frostFeb 15

Start seeds indoorsJan 18

Direct sowFeb 1

First harvestMar 23

Last harvestJul 13

Fall succession sowOct 1

First fall frostDec 10

Why these dates work in zone 9b

Zone 9b's last spring frost averages Feb 15 and first fall frost Dec 10 — about 298 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 Oct 1 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

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

Swiss Chard matures in about 50–60 days from sowing. In zone 9b that means sowing around Feb 1 and first picking around Mar 23.

Will swiss chard survive frost in zone 9b?

Yes — swiss chard tolerates light frost. In zone 9b you can sow a little before the last frost (around Feb 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Dec 10).

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

Yes — in zone 9b there's time for a fall sowing around Oct 1 for a second harvest before frost.

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