When to plant swiss chard in New Jersey
New Jersey’s average last spring frost is April 20, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 15 — about 178 frost-free days (USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b). Swiss Chard needs 50–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within New Jersey's growing season.
When to plant swiss chard in New Jersey: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Mar 30 – Apr 16, with seeds started indoors Mar 16 – Mar 30. 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 New Jersey, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Mar 16 – Mar 30). 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 (Mar 30 – Apr 16). 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 New Jersey.
- 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 May 26 – Jun 5). 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 New Jersey’s average frost dates. More in the full swiss chard growing guide.
Swiss Chard planting dates by USDA zone in New Jersey
New Jersey spans USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey (this page) | April 20 | Mar 30 – Apr 16 |
| Pennsylvania | May 1 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
| Delaware | April 14 | Mar 24 – Apr 10 |
| Maryland | April 14 | Mar 24 – Apr 10 |
| District of Columbia | April 10 | Mar 20 – Apr 6 |
| Virginia | April 15 | Mar 25 – Apr 11 |
| West Virginia | May 5 | Apr 14 – May 1 |
Questions gardeners in New Jersey ask
When is the best time to plant swiss chard in New Jersey?
Plant swiss chard transplants outdoors in New Jersey between March 30 and April 16. That timing is set by New Jersey's average last spring frost of April 20.
When should I start swiss chard seeds indoors in New Jersey?
Start seeds indoors between March 16 and March 30, about 4 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from March 30.
Can I plant swiss chard in the fall in New Jersey?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 27 and August 13, so the crop matures in cool weather before New Jersey's first frost around October 15.
When will swiss chard planted in New Jersey be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, swiss chard is usually ready from about May 26 to June 5, 50-60 days after planting.
When is the last frost in New Jersey?
On average around April 20, with the first fall frost around October 15 - about 178 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.