When to Plant Swiss Chard in Virginia
In a typical Virginia location, sow outdoors Mar 21 – Apr 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 23 in Newport News and as late as Apr 5 in Radford.
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 |
|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Norfolk | Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Chesapeake | Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Richmond | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Arlington | Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Newport News | Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Alexandria | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| East Hampton | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Hampton | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Roanoke | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Portsmouth Heights | Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Portsmouth | Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Suffolk | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| South Suffolk | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Lynchburg | Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Centreville | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Dale City | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| West Lynchburg | Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Reston | Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Harrisonburg | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Leesburg | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| McLean | Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Charlottesville | Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Tuckahoe | Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Blacksburg | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Ashburn | Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Danville | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Manassas | Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Lake Ridge | Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Burke | Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
Showing the 30 most populous of 118 Virginia cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Virginia cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Swiss chard in Virginia?
In a typical Virginia location, sow outdoors Mar 21 – Apr 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 23 in Newport News and as late as Apr 5 in Radford.
When is the last frost in Virginia?
The average last spring frost in Virginia ranges from March 16 in Newport News to April 26 in Radford, 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 Virginia
- 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