When to plant swiss chard in Bristol
Swiss chard is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Bristol's frost dates of Apr 18.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 21 – Apr 11
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 4 – Apr 25
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 24 – Jun 3
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
50 – 60 d
Bristol's 197-day season leaves this much room.
Swiss chard on Bristol'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
FROST
APR 18
NOV 1
Common questions
When can I sow swiss chard outdoors in Bristol?
Direct-sow around early April (Apr 4–Apr 25) in Bristol, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
When will swiss chard be ready to harvest in Bristol?
Expect to harvest from around late May (May 24–Jun 3) in Bristol, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 74%.
When should I start swiss chard seeds indoors in Bristol?
Start seeds indoors around late March (Mar 21–Apr 11) in Bristol, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When can I transplant swiss chard outdoors in Bristol?
Transplant outdoors around early April (Apr 4–Apr 25) in Bristol, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
How long is the growing season in Bristol?
Bristol has roughly 197 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 Bristol's frost dates.
Confidence 82/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.