When to plant swiss chard in Chesapeake

Swiss chard is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Chesapeake's frost dates of Mar 18.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 18 – Mar 11
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 4 – Mar 25
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Apr 23 – May 3
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 20 – Sep 3
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 16 – Oct 26
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
50 – 60 d
Chesapeake's 248-day season leaves this much room.
Swiss chard on Chesapeake'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
MAR 18
NOV 18

Common questions

When can I sow swiss chard outdoors in Chesapeake?

Direct-sow around early March (Mar 4–Mar 25) in Chesapeake, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 89%.

When will swiss chard be ready to harvest in Chesapeake?

Expect to harvest from around late April (Apr 23–May 3) in Chesapeake, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When should I start swiss chard seeds indoors in Chesapeake?

Start seeds indoors around mid February (Feb 18–Mar 11) in Chesapeake, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

When can I transplant swiss chard outdoors in Chesapeake?

Transplant outdoors around early March (Mar 4–Mar 25) in Chesapeake, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 89%.

Can I plant swiss chard in autumn in Chesapeake?

Yes — Chesapeake supports a second, autumn sowing of swiss chard around mid August (Aug 20–Sep 3), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Chesapeake?

Chesapeake has roughly 248 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 Chesapeake's frost dates.

Confidence 89/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.