When to plant swiss chard in Durham

Swiss chard is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Durham's frost dates of Apr 2.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 5 – Mar 26
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 19 – Apr 9
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 8 – May 18
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 6 – Aug 20
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 2 – Oct 12
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
50 – 60 d
Durham's 218-day season leaves this much room.
Swiss chard on Durham'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 2
NOV 1

Common questions

When can I sow swiss chard outdoors in Durham?

Direct-sow around mid March (Mar 19–Apr 9) in Durham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.

When will swiss chard be ready to harvest in Durham?

Expect to harvest from around early May (May 8–May 18) in Durham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 75%.

When should I start swiss chard seeds indoors in Durham?

Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 5–Mar 26) in Durham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

When can I transplant swiss chard outdoors in Durham?

Transplant outdoors around mid March (Mar 19–Apr 9) in Durham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.

Can I plant swiss chard in autumn in Durham?

Yes — Durham supports a second, autumn sowing of swiss chard around early August (Aug 6–Aug 20), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Durham?

Durham has roughly 218 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 Durham's frost dates.

Confidence 83/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.