When to plant Swiss chard in Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland), WA

Plant Swiss chard from seed, directly in the garden in Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland), Apr 1 – May 27. For a fall harvest, plant again Aug 2–16.

Easy Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland)'s typical last spring frost is April 27. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about April 1.

Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys. Hot, dry summers and quick spring warm-up. Warm crops go in earlier than west of the Cascades, and irrigation matters more than rain.

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 Apr 1 – May 27, 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 2–16 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 Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland), WA?

Typically April 27. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 10. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Pasco Tri-Cities Airport.

Is it too late to plant Swiss chard in Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland)?

The spring planting window runs through May 27. If you miss it, plant again for fall from August 2 to August 16.

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 Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland) around the same time

Planting dates for Swiss chard in nearby areas

Pendleton, OR Apr 1 – May 27
The Dalles, OR Apr 1 – May 27
Yakima, WA Apr 10 – Jun 5
Wenatchee, WA Apr 1 – May 27
Walla Walla, WA Apr 1 – May 27
Moses Lake, WA Apr 1 – May 27

Full planting calendar for Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland) · Swiss chard in every city