When to plant swiss chard in Louisiana
Louisiana’s average last spring frost is March 5, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 15 — about 255 frost-free days (USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b). Swiss Chard needs 50–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Louisiana's growing season.
When to plant swiss chard in Louisiana: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Feb 12 – Mar 1, with seeds started indoors Jan 29 – Feb 12. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow swiss chard in Louisiana, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Jan 29 – Feb 12). Sow seeds 0.75 inch deep in seed-starting mix under bright light. They take 5-14 days to sprout, fastest in soil around 70°F. Harden seedlings off for a week before they go outside.
- Prepare the bed. It needs six or more hours of sun for the best growth, though four to six hours in partial shade is enough and loose soil at least 12 inches deep, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (Feb 12 – Mar 1). Space plants about 9 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart. It tolerates a light frost but not a hard freeze. As a cool-season crop it does best before summer heat arrives in Louisiana.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: leaf miner, aphids, flea beetle. Diseases and disorders: cercospora leaf spot, downy mildew.
- Harvest (from about Apr 10 – Apr 20). Swiss Chard takes 50-60 days to reach harvest. One of the most heat-tolerant leafy greens - a single spring sowing usually carries through summer into fall if kept picked.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Louisiana’s average frost dates. More in the full swiss chard growing guide.
Swiss Chard planting dates by USDA zone in Louisiana
Louisiana spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the swiss chard dates shift with them.
When to plant swiss chard in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana (this page) | March 5 | Feb 12 – Mar 1 |
| Alabama | March 25 | Mar 4 – Mar 21 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Feb 27 – Mar 16 |
| Florida | February 12 | Jan 22 – Feb 8 |
| Arkansas | April 3 | Mar 13 – Mar 30 |
Questions gardeners in Louisiana ask
When is the best time to plant swiss chard in Louisiana?
Plant swiss chard transplants outdoors in Louisiana between February 12 and March 1. That timing is set by Louisiana's average last spring frost of March 5.
When should I start swiss chard seeds indoors in Louisiana?
Start seeds indoors between January 29 and February 12, about 4 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from February 12.
Can I plant swiss chard in the fall in Louisiana?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 27 and September 13, so the crop matures in cool weather before Louisiana's first frost around November 15.
When will swiss chard planted in Louisiana be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, swiss chard is usually ready from about April 10 to April 20, 50-60 days after planting.
When is the last frost in Louisiana?
On average around March 5, with the first fall frost around November 15 - about 255 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.