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When to plant swiss chard in New Orleans

Swiss chard is cold-hardy, so every date keys off New Orleans's frost dates of Feb 8.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Jan 11 – Feb 1
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jan 25 – Feb 15
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Mar 16 – Mar 26
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 26 – Sep 9
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 22 – Nov 1
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
50 – 60 d
New Orleans's 304-day season leaves this much room.
Swiss chard on New Orleans'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
FEB 8
DEC 9

Common questions

When can I sow swiss chard outdoors in New Orleans?

Direct-sow around late January (Jan 25–Feb 15) in New Orleans, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

When will swiss chard be ready to harvest in New Orleans?

Expect to harvest from around mid March (Mar 16–Mar 26) in New Orleans, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 73%.

When should I start swiss chard seeds indoors in New Orleans?

Start seeds indoors around mid January (Jan 11–Feb 1) in New Orleans, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.

When can I transplant swiss chard outdoors in New Orleans?

Transplant outdoors around late January (Jan 25–Feb 15) in New Orleans, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

Can I plant swiss chard in autumn in New Orleans?

Yes — New Orleans supports a second, autumn sowing of swiss chard around late August (Aug 26–Sep 9), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in New Orleans?

New Orleans has roughly 304 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 New Orleans's frost dates.

Confidence 81/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.
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