How to grow Swiss chard in a raised bed
Handles both heat and cold. Cut outer stalks and it regrows all season.
Spacing4 plants per square foot
How to startSow seeds right in the bed
When to plantAbout 2 weeks before your last spring frost
Time to harvestAbout 55 days
Grows toAbout 18 in tall
When to plant Swiss chard in your zone
Dates are based on the average frost dates for each zone. Don't know your zone? Enter your ZIP code in the planner.
| Zone | Start seeds indoors | Plant in the bed | Plant again for fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3a | — | May 6 | Jul 3 |
| Zone 3b | — | May 1 | Jul 8 |
| Zone 4a | — | Apr 28 | Jul 14 |
| Zone 4b | — | Apr 24 | Jul 21 |
| Zone 5a | — | Apr 20 | Jul 26 |
| Zone 5b | — | Apr 14 | Aug 2 |
| Zone 6a | — | Apr 8 | Aug 7 |
| Zone 6b | — | Apr 1 | Aug 12 |
| Zone 7a | — | Mar 25 | Aug 19 |
| Zone 7b | — | Mar 18 | Aug 26 |
| Zone 8a | — | Mar 11 | Sep 2 |
| Zone 8b | — | Mar 1 | Sep 10 |
| Zone 9a | — | Feb 15 | Sep 23 |
| Zone 9b | — | Feb 1 | Oct 2 |
| Zone 10a | — | Jan 17 | Oct 12 |
| Zone 10b | — | Jan 1 | Oct 23 |
Tips for raised beds
- In square-foot gardening, plant 4 plants in each 1 × 1 ft square.
- It stays fairly short, so it can go near the south (sunny) edge of the bed.
- Most vegetables and fruit need at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
Where to buy swiss chard seeds
Burpee · True Leaf Market · Botanical Interests
Plan where your Swiss chard go. Pick your bed size and material, choose your plants, and get a printable plan with measurements, a shopping list and planting dates for your ZIP code. Free, no sign-up.
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