When to plant swiss chard in Dunedin
Swiss chard is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Dunedin's frost dates of Oct 18.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Sep 20 – Oct 11
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Oct 4 – Oct 25
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Nov 23 – Dec 3
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
50 – 60 d
Dunedin's 178-day season leaves this much room.
Swiss chard on Dunedin'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
OCT 18
APR 14
Common questions
When can I sow swiss chard outdoors in Dunedin?
Direct-sow around early October (Oct 4–Oct 25) in Dunedin, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 68%.
When will swiss chard be ready to harvest in Dunedin?
Expect to harvest from around late November (Nov 23–Dec 3) in Dunedin, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 61%.
When should I start swiss chard seeds indoors in Dunedin?
Start seeds indoors around mid September (Sep 20–Oct 11) in Dunedin, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 65%.
When can I transplant swiss chard outdoors in Dunedin?
Transplant outdoors around early October (Oct 4–Oct 25) in Dunedin, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 68%.
How long is the growing season in Dunedin?
Dunedin has roughly 178 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 Dunedin's frost dates.
Confidence 68/100 · NASA POWER (modeled) · 1991–2020 · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.