When to plant swiss chard in Iowa
Iowa spans USDA zones 5a–6a, so the right time to plant swiss chard shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about March 29 in Fort Madison to April 17 in Spencer — below are local dates for 42 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 5b | April 18 | October 20 | April 4 – May 16 |
| Cedar Rapids | 5b | April 27 | October 11 | April 13 – May 25 |
| Davenport | 5b | April 19 | October 22 | April 5 – May 17 |
| Sioux City | 5a | April 29 | October 7 | April 15 – May 27 |
| Iowa City | 5b | April 21 | October 18 | April 7 – May 19 |
| Ankeny | 5b | April 23 | October 15 | April 9 – May 21 |
| West Des Moines | 5b | April 18 | October 20 | April 4 – May 16 |
| Ames | 5b | April 26 | October 8 | April 12 – May 24 |
Swiss Chard in Iowa: FAQ
When can I plant swiss chard in Iowa?
Across Iowa, the time to direct-sow swiss chard spans roughly March 29 in Fort Madison to April 17 in Spencer, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the swiss chard planting date vary across Iowa?
Yes. Iowa publishes 42 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 Iowa?
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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