When to plant swiss chard in Montana
Montana spans USDA zones 4b–5b, so the right time to plant swiss chard shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about April 20 in Billings to May 30 in Butte-Silver Bow — below are local dates for 8 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | 5a | May 4 | October 7 | April 20 – June 1 |
| Missoula | 5b | May 10 | October 1 | April 26 – June 7 |
| Great Falls | 4b | May 6 | October 1 | April 22 – June 3 |
| Bozeman | 5a | May 26 | September 22 | May 12 – June 23 |
| Butte-Silver Bow | 5a | June 13 | September 5 | May 30 – July 11 |
| Helena | 5a | May 9 | September 30 | April 25 – June 6 |
| Kalispell | 5b | May 31 | September 10 | May 17 – June 28 |
| Belgrade | 5a | May 26 | September 16 | May 12 – June 23 |
Swiss Chard in Montana: FAQ
When can I plant swiss chard in Montana?
Across Montana, the time to direct-sow swiss chard spans roughly April 20 in Billings to May 30 in Butte-Silver Bow, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the swiss chard planting date vary across Montana?
Yes. Montana publishes 8 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 Montana?
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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