When to Plant Chard in Berks County, PA
Swiss chard is a colorful, heat-tolerant green with large crinkled leaves and vibrant stalks in red, yellow, and white. Both the leaves and stems are edible and nutritious.
Berks County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 186 days.
At an elevation of 877 feet, Berks County receives approximately 46.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Chard during the growing season.
Berks County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Drainage
Well Drained
Chard Planting Timeline — Berks County, PA
Chard Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 21 | Apr 21 – May 5 |
| Direct Sow | April 7 | Apr 7 – Apr 28 |
| Harvest | June 16 | Jun 16 – Aug 4 |
| Fall Sowing | August 15 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
📅 Days to Maturity
50–60 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7a
📆 Growing Season
186 days in Berks County
Growing Tips for Berks County
Direct sow or transplant after last frost. Harvest outer leaves regularly to encourage continuous production. Chard tolerates both heat and light frost.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Chard in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Chard in Berks County, PA?
Berks County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Chard planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Berks County, PA?
Berks County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 24.
Your Berks County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Berks County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.