When to Plant Swiss Chard in California
In a typical California location, sow outdoors Dec 26 – Jan 9. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Dec 8 in San Mateo and as late as May 6 in Big Bear City. 103 cities in California are essentially frost-free and can plant on a year-round schedule.
Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too.
Swiss Chard Planting Dates by City
| City | Direct sow |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | Frost-free: year-round planting |
| San Diego | Frost-free: year-round planting |
| San Jose | Dec 12 – Dec 26 |
| San Francisco | Frost-free: year-round planting |
| Fresno | Dec 24 – Jan 7 |
| Sacramento | Dec 22 – Jan 5 |
| Long Beach | Frost-free: year-round planting |
| Oakland | Frost-free: year-round planting |
| Bakersfield | Jan 10 – Jan 24 |
| Anaheim | Frost-free: year-round planting |
| Riverside | Dec 19 – Jan 2 |
| Santa Ana | Frost-free: year-round planting |
| Stockton | Jan 15 – Jan 29 |
| Chula Vista | Frost-free: year-round planting |
| Irvine | Frost-free: year-round planting |
| Fremont | Dec 17 – Dec 31 |
| San Bernardino | Jan 6 – Jan 20 |
| Fontana | Dec 20 – Jan 3 |
| Modesto | Jan 10 – Jan 24 |
| Oxnard | Frost-free: year-round planting |
| Moreno Valley | Jan 6 – Jan 20 |
| Huntington Beach | Frost-free: year-round planting |
| Glendale | Dec 12 – Dec 26 |
| Santa Clarita | Dec 18 – Jan 1 |
| Santa Rosa | Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| Oceanside | Frost-free: year-round planting |
| Garden Grove | Frost-free: year-round planting |
| Rancho Cucamonga | Dec 14 – Dec 28 |
| Ontario | Dec 14 – Dec 28 |
| Elk Grove | Jan 12 – Jan 26 |
Showing the 30 most populous of 530 California cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all California cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Swiss chard in California?
In a typical California location, sow outdoors Dec 26 – Jan 9. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Dec 8 in San Mateo and as late as May 6 in Big Bear City. 103 cities in California are essentially frost-free and can plant on a year-round schedule.
When is the last frost in California?
The average last spring frost in California ranges from January 1 in Palm Springs to December 31 in Sunland, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
How long do Swiss chard take to grow?
Swiss Chard typically take 50–60 days from planting to harvest. Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too.
Other Crops in California
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Eggplant
- Cucumbers
- Zucchini
- Winter Squash
- Pumpkins
- Watermelon
- Cantaloupe
- Corn
- Green Beans
- Peas
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Kale
- Arugula
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Brussels Sprouts
- Carrots
- Beets
- Radishes
- Turnips
- Onions
- Garlic
- Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes
- Asparagus
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Parsley
- Dill
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
- Marigolds
- Cosmos
- Nasturtiums
- Dahlias
When to plant Swiss chard in other states