When to plant Swiss chard in Salem, OR

Plant Swiss chard from seed, directly in the garden in Salem, Mar 15 – May 10. For a fall harvest, plant again Aug 6–20.

Easy Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Salem's typical last spring frost is April 3. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the west-side valleys, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about March 15.

West-side valleys. The Willamette Valley, Puget Sound and southern Oregon valleys. Long frost-free seasons, but soil stays cold and wet into May, so warm crops wait for warm soil, not just the last frost.

Difficulty: Easy
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Spacing: 10 inches apart
Planting depth: ½ inch deep
Frost: Handles light frost
First harvest: About 55 days after planting

Step by step

Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
Plant seeds Mar 15 – May 10, ½ inch deep, 10 inches apart.
Keep the soil evenly moist until sprouts appear, which can take one to three weeks in cool soil.
Plant again Aug 6–20 for a fall harvest.
Harvest: Cut outer stalks at the base. One planting keeps producing from early summer into winter.

Varieties that do well here

Bright Lights
Fordhook Giant
Rhubarb

Watch out for

Leaf miners, the same as beets. Remove spotted leaves early.

Handles both cool spring weather and summer heat; harvest outer leaves for months.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Salem, OR?

Typically April 3. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by April 27. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Salem McNary Field.

Is it too late to plant Swiss chard in Salem?

The spring planting window runs through May 10. If you miss it, plant again for fall from August 6 to August 20.

How long until I can harvest Swiss chard?

About 55 days after planting. Cut outer stalks at the base. One planting keeps producing from early summer into winter.

Also plant in Salem around the same time

Planting dates for Swiss chard in nearby areas

Portland, OR Mar 15 – May 10
Gresham, OR Mar 15 – May 10
Wilsonville and Canby, OR Mar 15 – May 10
Eugene, OR Mar 15 – May 10
Roseburg, OR Mar 15 – May 10
Medford, OR Mar 15 – May 10

Full planting calendar for Salem · Swiss chard in every city