When to Plant Swiss Chard in Kentucky
In a typical Kentucky location, sow outdoors Mar 22 – Apr 5. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 10 in Louisville and as late as Apr 10 in Shelbyville.
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 |
|---|---|
| Louisville | Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| Lexington | Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Lexington-Fayette | Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Meads | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Bowling Green | Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Owensboro | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Covington | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Richmond | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Georgetown | Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Florence | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Hopkinsville | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Nicholasville | Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Elizabethtown | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Henderson | Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Frankfort | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Jeffersontown | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Independence | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Paducah | Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Valley Station | Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| Radcliff | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Ashland | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Newburg | Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Madisonville | Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Murray | Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Erlanger | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Winchester | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Fern Creek | Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Saint Matthews | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Okolona | Mar 16 – Mar 30 |
| Danville | Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
Showing the 30 most populous of 52 Kentucky cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Kentucky cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Swiss chard in Kentucky?
In a typical Kentucky location, sow outdoors Mar 22 – Apr 5. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 10 in Louisville and as late as Apr 10 in Shelbyville.
When is the last frost in Kentucky?
The average last spring frost in Kentucky ranges from March 31 in Louisville to May 1 in Shelbyville, 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 Kentucky
- 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