When to Plant Swiss Chard in Wisconsin
In a typical Wisconsin location, sow outdoors Apr 9 – Apr 23. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 29 in Kenosha and as late as Apr 20 in Merrill.
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 |
|---|---|
| Milwaukee | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Madison | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Green Bay | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Kenosha | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Racine | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Appleton | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Waukesha | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Eau Claire | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Oshkosh | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Janesville | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| West Allis | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| La Crosse | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| North La Crosse | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Sheboygan | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| Wauwatosa | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Fond du Lac | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| New Berlin | Apr 12 – Apr 26 |
| Wausau | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Brookfield | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Greenfield | Apr 12 – Apr 26 |
| Beloit | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Franklin | Apr 12 – Apr 26 |
| Menomonee Falls | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Oak Creek | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Manitowoc | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Sun Prairie | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| West Bend | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Fitchburg | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Stevens Point | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Superior | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
Showing the 30 most populous of 96 Wisconsin cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Wisconsin cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Swiss chard in Wisconsin?
In a typical Wisconsin location, sow outdoors Apr 9 – Apr 23. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 29 in Kenosha and as late as Apr 20 in Merrill.
When is the last frost in Wisconsin?
The average last spring frost in Wisconsin ranges from April 19 in Kenosha to May 11 in Merrill, 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 Wisconsin
- 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