When to plant swiss chard in Melbourne
Swiss chard is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Melbourne's frost dates of Aug 28.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Jul 31 – Aug 21
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Aug 14 – Sep 4
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Oct 3 – Oct 13
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
50 – 60 d
Melbourne's 270-day season leaves this much room.
Swiss chard on Melbourne's growing year
Frost-bounded season with crops mapped onto the 12-month axis.
Frost risk Growing Harvest
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
FROST
AUG 28
MAY 25
Common questions
When can I sow swiss chard outdoors in Melbourne?
Direct-sow around mid August (Aug 14–Sep 4) in Melbourne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
When will swiss chard be ready to harvest in Melbourne?
Expect to harvest from around early October (Oct 3–Oct 13) in Melbourne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.
When should I start swiss chard seeds indoors in Melbourne?
Start seeds indoors around late July (Jul 31–Aug 21) in Melbourne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
When can I transplant swiss chard outdoors in Melbourne?
Transplant outdoors around mid August (Aug 14–Sep 4) in Melbourne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
How long is the growing season in Melbourne?
Melbourne has roughly 270 frost-free days, which is enough time to grow swiss chard to maturity outdoors.
The rule of thumb
Sow swiss chard as soon as the soil is workable — it tolerates cool weather and light frost. Every date on this page is derived from that rule and Melbourne's frost dates.
Confidence 86/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.