When to Plant Swiss Chard in Iowa
In a typical Iowa location, sow outdoors Mar 31 – Apr 14. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 20 in Keokuk and as late as Apr 12 in Grinnell.
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 |
|---|---|
| Des Moines | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Cedar Rapids | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Davenport | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Sioux City | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Iowa City | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Waterloo | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Ames | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| West Des Moines | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Council Bluffs | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Dubuque | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Ankeny | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Urbandale | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Cedar Falls | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Marion | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Bettendorf | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Marshalltown | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Mason City | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Clinton | Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Burlington | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Fort Dodge | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Ottumwa | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Muscatine | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Johnston | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Coralville | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Waukee | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Altoona | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| North Liberty | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Indianola | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Clive | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Newton | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
Showing the 30 most populous of 45 Iowa cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Iowa cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Swiss chard in Iowa?
In a typical Iowa location, sow outdoors Mar 31 – Apr 14. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 20 in Keokuk and as late as Apr 12 in Grinnell.
When is the last frost in Iowa?
The average last spring frost in Iowa ranges from April 10 in Keokuk to May 3 in Grinnell, 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 Iowa
- 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