Swiss Chard

Swiss Chard

Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris Cicla Group

Plant out around your last spring frost. Space plants 8 in (20 cm) apart.

Photo: Forest and Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 us · source

When to plant

Timed from your frost dates, so it holds wherever you garden. Give yours and every step below becomes a date.

See the dates for your garden

Enter your average last spring frost and first fall frost. Every timing on this site turns into a calendar date. Not sure of yours? Your local extension service or a search for “last frost date” and your town will tell you; the app finds them from your location.

Last spring frost
First fall frost

Saved in this browser only. Nothing is sent anywhere.

Optimal Transplant (Spring)

From a plantRecommended from a plant
  1. Plant outaround your last spring frost
  2. First harvestabout 35 days after planting out

Optimal Transplant (Fall)

From a plant
  1. Plant outabout 9 weeks before your first fall frost
  2. First harvestabout 45 days after planting out

Optimal Indoor Start (Spring)

From seed
  1. Start indoors5 weeks before your last spring frost
  2. Begin hardening off1 week before your last spring frost
  3. Plant outaround your last spring frost
  4. First harvestabout 50 days after planting out

Optimal Direct Sow (Spring)

From seedRecommended from seed
  1. Sow outdoors2 weeks before your last spring frost
  2. First harvestabout 50 days after sowing

Optimal Fall Direct Sow

From seed
  1. Sow outdoorsabout 10 weeks before your first fall frost
  2. First harvestabout 50 days after sowing

Growing swiss chard

Spacing in the row
8 in (20 cm)
Between rows
18 in (46 cm)
Planting depth
0.5-1 inch
Sun
Full Sun
Soil
Loamy, well-drained, pH balanced
Germination
5-10 days at 50-85°F
Harvest season
Spring, Summer, Fall
Mature height
12-24 inches
Life cycle
Biennial

Sow seeds 0.5-1 inch deep, 4-6 inches apart, in fertile, well-draining soil.

Watering. Maintain consistent soil moisture; avoid waterlogging.

Neighbours

The companion chart →

Grows well beside

Keep apart from

Feeding

Seedlings
Light liquid feed once true leaves emerge (if indoor started).
Growing
Balanced granular or liquid fertilizer every 3-4 weeks.
How often
Every 3-4 weeks
Note
Prioritize nitrogen for leafy growth, but avoid over-fertilization, especially early.

Your swiss chard, planned to the day.

Canopy turns these timings into dates from your own frost data, places every plant at its spacing on your garden map, and tracks it all the way to harvest.

Add swiss chard to your planting calendar →

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