Swiss Chard in Zone 5a & 5b
Beta vulgaris
Yes, Swiss chard grows in zones 5a and 5b. Start seeds indoors Apr 12–Apr 19 and plant out Apr 26–May 3. For a fall crop, plant out Jul 28–Aug 11.
When to plant Swiss chard in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Either works.
| Window | Spring window |
|---|---|
| Start indoors | Apr 12–Apr 19 |
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 26–May 3 |
| Estimated harvest | Jun 20–Jun 27 (~55 days after planting) |
| Window | Fall window |
|---|---|
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jul 28–Aug 11 |
| Estimated harvest | Sep 21–Oct 5 (~55 days after planting) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-2 ft.
Fall window: the last sowing date is the average first frost minus days to maturity, the method in Purdue Extension's fall garden guide, which lists Swiss chard for late-summer planting.
Plant alongside it in zone 5b
These go outside within two weeks of Swiss chard in zone 5b, so one planting day can cover them.
- OnionApr 19–Apr 26
- RadishApr 12–Apr 19
- CarrotApr 19–Apr 26
- CabbageApr 26–May 3
- LettuceApr 26–May 3
- BroccoliApr 26–May 3
Swiss chard does what spinach and lettuce can't: keep producing through the heat of summer without bolting. It can be started indoors or direct-seeded, and a single planting will often keep giving cut-and-come-again harvests for months.
How Swiss chard fits zone 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Swiss chard needs about 55 days from sowing to first harvest.
Swiss Chard planting windows in every zone
Zone 5b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b | May 2–May 9 | May 16–May 23 | Jul 10–Jul 17 |
| 4a & 4bSpring window | Apr 17–Apr 24 | May 1–May 8 | Jun 25–Jul 2 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Jul 13–Jul 27 | Sep 6–Sep 20 |
| 5a & 5bSpring window (your zone) | Apr 12–Apr 19 | Apr 26–May 3 | Jun 20–Jun 27 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Jul 28–Aug 11 | Sep 21–Oct 5 |
| 6a & 6bSpring window | Mar 28–Apr 4 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | Jun 5–Jun 12 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Aug 7–Aug 21 | Oct 1–Oct 15 |
| 7a & 7bSpring window | Mar 13–Mar 20 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | May 21–May 28 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Aug 17–Aug 31 | Oct 11–Oct 25 |
| 8a & 8bSpring window | Feb 25–Mar 4 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | May 5–May 12 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Sep 2–Sep 16 | Oct 27–Nov 10 |
| 9a & 9bSpring window | Jan 18–Jan 25 | Feb 1–Feb 8 | Mar 28–Apr 4 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Sep 27–Oct 11 | Nov 21–Dec 5 |
| 10a & 10bFall window | Aug–Jan | Sep–Feb | ~55 days after transplanting |
Harvest dates are about 55 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
- Bush Beans: Beans fix nitrogen chard uses heavily.
Where to buy Swiss chard seeds
Botanical Interests · Burpee (each supplier's Swiss chard seeds)
Varieties we recommend, and where to get them:
- Bright Lights: The gold-standard rainbow chard, an AAS winner at 55 days with savoyed leaves and stems in gold, pink, orange, red and white on the same planting. Buy: True Leaf Market · Burpee Full notes
- Fordhook Giant: The traditional white-stemmed, green-leaf standard Johnny's rates as a strong, heat-tolerant performer at about 50 days. Buy: Botanical Interests · True Leaf Market · Burpee · High Mowing Organic Seeds Full notes
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing Swiss chard" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 5b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Swiss Chard in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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