When to plant swiss chard in Tennessee
Tennessee’s average last spring frost is April 10, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 25 — about 198 frost-free days (USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a). Swiss Chard needs 50–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Tennessee's growing season.
When to plant swiss chard in Tennessee: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Mar 20 – Apr 6, with seeds started indoors Mar 6 – Mar 20. 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 Tennessee, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Mar 6 – Mar 20). 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 20 – Apr 6). 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 Tennessee.
- 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 16 – May 26). 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 Tennessee’s average frost dates. More in the full swiss chard growing guide.
Swiss Chard planting dates by USDA zone in Tennessee
Tennessee spans USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee (this page) | April 10 | Mar 20 – Apr 6 |
| North Carolina | April 5 | Mar 15 – Apr 1 |
| South Carolina | March 25 | Mar 4 – Mar 21 |
| Georgia | March 25 | Mar 4 – Mar 21 |
| Kentucky | April 18 | Mar 28 – Apr 14 |
Questions gardeners in Tennessee ask
When is the best time to plant swiss chard in Tennessee?
Plant swiss chard transplants outdoors in Tennessee between March 20 and April 6. That timing is set by Tennessee's average last spring frost of April 10.
When should I start swiss chard seeds indoors in Tennessee?
Start seeds indoors between March 6 and March 20, about 4 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from March 20.
Can I plant swiss chard in the fall in Tennessee?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 6 and August 23, so the crop matures in cool weather before Tennessee's first frost around October 25.
When will swiss chard planted in Tennessee be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, swiss chard is usually ready from about May 16 to May 26, 50-60 days after planting.
When is the last frost in Tennessee?
On average around April 10, with the first fall frost around October 25 - about 198 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.