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When to plant swiss chard in Detroit

Swiss chard is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Detroit's frost dates of Apr 15.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 18 – Apr 8
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 11 – May 2
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 31 – Jun 10
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 30 – Aug 13
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 25 – Oct 5
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
50 – 60 d
Detroit's 194-day season leaves this much room.
Swiss chard on Detroit'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
APR 15
OCT 31

Common questions

When can I sow swiss chard outdoors in Detroit?

Direct-sow around mid April (Apr 11–May 2) in Detroit, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

When will swiss chard be ready to harvest in Detroit?

Expect to harvest from around late May (May 31–Jun 10) in Detroit, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

When should I start swiss chard seeds indoors in Detroit?

Start seeds indoors around mid March (Mar 18–Apr 8) in Detroit, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

When can I transplant swiss chard outdoors in Detroit?

Transplant outdoors around mid April (Apr 11–May 2) in Detroit, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

Can I plant swiss chard in autumn in Detroit?

Yes — Detroit supports a second, autumn sowing of swiss chard around late July (Jul 30–Aug 13), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Detroit?

Detroit has roughly 194 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 Detroit's frost dates.

Confidence 88/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.
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