UK sowing calendar
When to sow swiss chard in the UK
Swiss chard sowing calendar (UK)
| Sow under cover | Mar-Apr (modules, optional) |
|---|---|
| Sow / plant outdoors | Mar-Jul |
| Harvest | Jun-Mar |
Direct sow Mar-Jul; spring sowings crop from about 12 weeks as cut-and-come-again (pick outer leaves). A mid-summer/July sowing is hardy enough to overwinter outdoors for early-spring picking, giving harvests most of the year.
UK timing runs on the last-frost date, not a USDA zone. Most of Britain sees its last frost around mid-May, with the north and exposed inland gardens a week or two later and the mild south-west and coast earlier. Tender crops start under cover and only go out once frost has passed; hardy crops can be direct-sown as soon as the soil is workable.
Timing aligned with the RHS grow-your-own guide for swiss chard.
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When to sow swiss chard in the UK — FAQs
When should I sow swiss chard in the UK?
Sow swiss chard under cover Mar-Apr (modules, optional), then outdoors mar-jul. Direct sow Mar-Jul; spring sowings crop from about 12 weeks as cut-and-come-again (pick outer leaves). A mid-summer/July sowing is hardy enough to overwinter outdoors for early-spring picking, giving harvests most of the year.
Can you sow swiss chard outdoors in the UK?
Yes — sow or plant swiss chard outdoors mar-jul. Wait until after the last frost (around mid-May, later in the north) for anything tender.
When is swiss chard ready to harvest in the UK?
Swiss chard is typically harvested Jun-Mar in the UK, depending on your sowing date, cultivar and region.
Is it too late to sow swiss chard?
It depends on the month and your region. Swiss chard has a UK outdoor window of mar-jul; northern and exposed gardens run a week or two behind the south. Open Growli and tell it your postcode for timing tuned to your own last-frost date.