When to plant swiss chard in Iowa

Sow outdoors in Des Moines

Apr 4–May 2

Across Iowa the window opens between April 1 and April 15. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Sow outdoors from 2 weeks before to 2 weeks after the last frost. Cut outer leaves and the plant keeps going until hard frost.

Swiss chard planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Des MoinesApr 4–May 2

Cedar RapidsApr 13–May 11

DavenportApr 5–May 3

Sioux CityApr 15–May 13

AnkenyApr 9–May 7

Iowa CityApr 7–May 5

AmesApr 12–May 10

WaterlooApr 13–May 11

DubuqueApr 5–May 3

UrbandaleApr 5–May 3

MarionApr 14–May 12

Cedar FallsApr 13–May 11

BettendorfApr 2–Apr 30

WaukeeApr 4–May 2

MarshalltownApr 14–May 12

Mason CityApr 15–May 13

OttumwaApr 9–May 7

JohnstonApr 5–May 3

Fort DodgeApr 14–May 12

ClintonApr 8–May 6

CoralvilleApr 7–May 5

BurlingtonApr 1–Apr 29

MuscatineApr 10–May 8

AltoonaApr 9–May 7

When should I plant swiss chard in Iowa?

In Des Moines, sow outdoors from April 4 to May 2. Across Iowa the window opens between April 1 and April 15, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Sow outdoors from 2 weeks before to 2 weeks after the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.