Rainline Garden

When to plant Swiss chard in Yakima, WA

Plant Swiss chard from seed, directly in the garden in Yakima, Apr 10 – Jun 5. For a fall harvest, plant again Jul 26 – Aug 9.

Easy Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Yakima's typical last spring frost is May 8. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop can go in about 4 weeks before that.

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

  1. Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
  2. Plant seeds Apr 10 – Jun 5, ½ inch deep, 10 inches apart.
  3. Keep the soil evenly moist until sprouts appear, which can take one to three weeks in cool soil.
  4. Plant again Jul 26 – Aug 9 for a fall harvest.
  5. 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 Yakima, WA?

Typically May 8. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 27. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Yakima Air Terminal.

Is it too late to plant Swiss chard in Yakima?

The spring planting window runs through June 5. If you miss it, plant again for fall from July 26 to August 9.

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 Yakima around the same time

Planting dates for Swiss chard in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Yakima · Swiss chard in every city