When to plant swiss chard in California
California spans USDA zones 6b–11a, so the right time to plant swiss chard shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about December 15 in San Mateo to May 26 in Truckee — below are local dates for 497 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 10b | January 2 | December 26 | December 19 – January 30 |
| San Diego | 10b | January 6 | December 21 | December 23 – February 3 |
| San Jose | 9b | January 2 | December 25 | December 19 – January 30 |
| San Francisco | 10a | December 30 | December 25 | December 16 – January 27 |
| Fresno | 9b | January 14 | December 14 | December 31 – February 11 |
| Sacramento | 9b | January 12 | December 16 | December 29 – February 9 |
| Long Beach | 10b | January 9 | January 5 | December 26 – February 6 |
| Oakland | 10a | January 7 | December 23 | December 24 – February 4 |
Swiss Chard in California: FAQ
When can I plant swiss chard in California?
Across California, the time to direct-sow swiss chard spans roughly December 15 in San Mateo to May 26 in Truckee, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the swiss chard planting date vary across California?
Yes. California publishes 497 cities with their own frost dates, so the right swiss chard planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does swiss chard take to grow in California?
Swiss Chard takes about 50–60 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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