When to Plant Swiss Chard in Pennsylvania
In a typical Pennsylvania location, sow outdoors Mar 30 – Apr 13. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 9 in Philadelphia and as late as Apr 24 in Hermitage.
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 |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia | Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Pittsburgh | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Allentown | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Erie | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Reading | Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Scranton | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Bethlehem | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Bensalem | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Lancaster | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Abington | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Levittown | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Havertown | Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Harrisburg | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Altoona | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| York | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| State College | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Wilkes-Barre | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Norristown | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Chester | Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Mount Lebanon | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Bethel Park | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Wayne | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Radnor | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Williamsport | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| Monroeville | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Cranberry Township | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Drexel Hill | Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Plum | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Back Mountain | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Easton | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
Showing the 30 most populous of 121 Pennsylvania cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Pennsylvania cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Swiss chard in Pennsylvania?
In a typical Pennsylvania location, sow outdoors Mar 30 – Apr 13. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 9 in Philadelphia and as late as Apr 24 in Hermitage.
When is the last frost in Pennsylvania?
The average last spring frost in Pennsylvania ranges from March 30 in Philadelphia to May 15 in Hermitage, 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 Pennsylvania
- 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