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When to plant swiss chard in Houston

Swiss chard is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Houston's frost dates of Jan 26.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Dec 29 – Jan 19
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Dec 25 – Jan 15
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Feb 13 – Feb 23
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Sep 5 – Sep 19
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Nov 1 – Nov 11
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
50 – 60 d
Houston's 317-day season leaves this much room.
Swiss chard on Houston'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
JAN 26
DEC 9

Common questions

When can I sow swiss chard outdoors in Houston?

Direct-sow around late December (Dec 25–Jan 15) in Houston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

When will swiss chard be ready to harvest in Houston?

Expect to harvest from around mid February (Feb 13–Feb 23) in Houston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.

When should I start swiss chard seeds indoors in Houston?

Start seeds indoors around late December (Dec 29–Jan 19) in Houston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When can I transplant swiss chard outdoors in Houston?

Transplant outdoors around late December (Dec 25–Jan 15) in Houston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

Can I plant swiss chard in autumn in Houston?

Yes — Houston supports a second, autumn sowing of swiss chard around early September (Sep 5–Sep 19), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Houston?

Houston has roughly 317 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 Houston's frost dates.

Confidence 84/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.
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