When to Plant Swiss Chard in Durham, North Carolina (27708)

Location

Durham, North Carolina

ZIP Code

27708

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Friday, March 20, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Friday, February 20, 2026

Based on last frost Friday, March 20, 2026 · Zone 8a

Pro tip: Sow Swiss Chard directly outdoors 4 weeks before your last frost date.

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris

Days to Maturity 55 days

Mature Height 18-24"

Spread 12"

Type Leaf

Fruit Size N/A

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun to Partial Shade

💧

Water

Regular (1-1.5 inches/week)

↔️

Spacing

8" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.5" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 5-10 days

Ready to Plant Swiss Chard in Durham?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Friday, February 20, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

BeetOnionBeanCabbage

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

LeekCorn

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Swiss Chard

See which plants help Swiss Chard thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

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🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟡 Moderate

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Swiss chard is biennial — harvest seed stalks in year 2 when seeds are dry and tan.

Processing

Strip dried seed clusters, rub to separate, store as clusters (like beet seeds).

Seed Viability

Up to 4 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Swiss chard and beets are the same species — they cross via wind pollen. Don't save seed from both in the same year.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 72 plants of Swiss Chard. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Swiss Chard in Durham, North Carolina? +

In Durham (Zone 8a), direct sow Swiss Chard outdoors around Friday, February 20, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Durham, North Carolina? +

The average last spring frost date for Durham, North Carolina (ZIP 27708) is around Friday, March 20, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 8a.

How long does Swiss Chard take to grow? +

Swiss Chard typically matures in about 55 days from direct sowing. In Durham, that means you can expect harvest around Friday, February 20, 2026 plus 55 days.

Should I start Swiss Chard indoors or direct sow in North Carolina? +

Swiss Chard does best when direct sown outdoors. In Durham, sow directly around Friday, February 20, 2026.

📚 More Swiss Chard Planting Guides

🗺️

Swiss Chard in North Carolina

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 8a Swiss Chard Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Durham

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Swiss Chard in Zone 8a

Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris) is a popular garden vegetable. In Durham, North Carolina, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a, you should direct sow seeds around Friday, February 20, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Friday, March 20, 2026. Swiss Chard grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.