When to plant swiss chard in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania spans USDA zones 5b–7b, 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 16 in Philadelphia to May 1 in Hermitage — below are local dates for 86 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 7b | March 30 | November 17 | March 16 – April 27 |
| Pittsburgh | 6b | April 18 | October 28 | April 4 – May 16 |
| Allentown | 7a | April 20 | October 24 | April 6 – May 18 |
| Reading | 7a | April 14 | October 29 | March 31 – May 12 |
| Erie | 7a | April 26 | November 4 | April 12 – May 24 |
| Bethlehem | 7a | April 20 | October 24 | April 6 – May 18 |
| Scranton | 6b | April 23 | October 20 | April 9 – May 21 |
| Lancaster | 7a | April 19 | October 24 | April 5 – May 17 |
Swiss Chard in Pennsylvania: FAQ
When can I plant swiss chard in Pennsylvania?
Across Pennsylvania, the time to direct-sow swiss chard spans roughly March 16 in Philadelphia to May 1 in Hermitage, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the swiss chard planting date vary across Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania publishes 86 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 Pennsylvania?
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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