When to Plant Swiss Chard in Illinois
In a typical Illinois location, sow outdoors Mar 30 – Apr 13. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 11 in Granite City and as late as Apr 10 in Roscoe.
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 |
|---|---|
| Chicago | Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Aurora | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Rockford | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Joliet | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Naperville | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Peoria | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Springfield | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| North Peoria | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Elgin | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Waukegan | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Champaign | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Cicero | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Bloomington | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Arlington Heights | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Evanston | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Schaumburg | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Bolingbrook | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Decatur | Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Palatine | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| Skokie | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Des Plaines | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Orland Park | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Tinley Park | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Oak Lawn | Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Berwyn | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Mount Prospect | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Normal | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| Wheaton | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Oak Park | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Hoffman Estates | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
Showing the 30 most populous of 242 Illinois cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Illinois cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Swiss chard in Illinois?
In a typical Illinois location, sow outdoors Mar 30 – Apr 13. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 11 in Granite City and as late as Apr 10 in Roscoe.
When is the last frost in Illinois?
The average last spring frost in Illinois ranges from April 1 in Granite City to May 1 in Roscoe, 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 Illinois
- 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