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When to plant swiss chard in Pittsburgh

Swiss chard is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Pittsburgh's frost dates of Apr 17.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 20 – Apr 10
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 7 – Apr 28
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 27 – Jun 6
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 20 – Aug 3
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 15 – Sep 25
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
50 – 60 d
Pittsburgh's 188-day season leaves this much room.
Swiss chard on Pittsburgh'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 17
OCT 25

Common questions

When can I sow swiss chard outdoors in Pittsburgh?

Direct-sow around early April (Apr 7–Apr 28) in Pittsburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

When will swiss chard be ready to harvest in Pittsburgh?

Expect to harvest from around late May (May 27–Jun 6) in Pittsburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 73%.

When should I start swiss chard seeds indoors in Pittsburgh?

Start seeds indoors around mid March (Mar 20–Apr 10) in Pittsburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.

When can I transplant swiss chard outdoors in Pittsburgh?

Transplant outdoors around early April (Apr 7–Apr 28) in Pittsburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

Can I plant swiss chard in autumn in Pittsburgh?

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

How long is the growing season in Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh has roughly 188 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 Pittsburgh'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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