Swiss chard planting calendar for USDA Zone 6a

Western NC mountains, southern PA, central OH, northern MO. Average last spring frost May 1, first fall frost October 1 — a 153-day frost-free season.

Zone fit: excellent

Swiss chard is well suited to Zone 6a. Standard planting dates work with minor adjustments for microclimates.

Key dates

Start seeds indoors

March 27 – April 10

Direct-seed or transplant outdoors

April 3 – April 24

Expected first harvest

June 4 – July 2

Fall planting window

July 16 – August 6

Fall harvest window

September 16 – October 14

Windows are calculated from your zone's average frost dates. Adjust ±1 week for microclimates, elevation, and your own frost records.

Spacing and soil

Plant spacing: 10″
Row spacing: 18″
Seed depth: 0.5″
Soil temperature: 50–75°F
Frost tolerance: hardy
Days to harvest: 55 days

Grower notes for Zone 6a

Cut-and-come-again crop. A spring planting can produce well into fall with cool weather and consistent water.

Plant near: beans, onions

Keep away from: corn

Other leafy greens for Zone 6a

Same crop, other zones

Track your own plantings

BAU Farm Intelligence turns these windows into per-field tasks — indoor seed-start reminders, transplant dates, harvest projections — using your farm's actual frost history.

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