leafy · direct sow · beginner friendly
Swiss Chard: how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating swiss chard a few times a week needs about 17 plants in ~20 sq ft, worth about $102 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$4.00/lb retail — an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 5 | ~6 sq ft | ~10 | ~$30 |
| 2 people | 9 | ~11 sq ft | ~17 | ~$54 |
| 4 people | 17 | ~20 sq ft | ~32 | ~$102 |
| 6 people | 25 | ~29 sq ft | ~47 | ~$150 |
Spacing
9" in row · 18" between rows
Sow depth
0.5"
Days to harvest
40 from transplant (55 from seed)
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Apr 21 – Jun 5 | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Zone 4 | Apr 16 – May 31 | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 6 – May 21 | Jul 5 – Aug 20 |
| Zone 6 | Mar 27 – May 11 | Jul 15 – Aug 30 |
| Zone 7 | Mar 12 – Apr 26 | Jul 25 – Sep 9 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 1 – Apr 15 | Aug 15 – Sep 30 |
| Zone 9 | Jan 27 – Mar 13 | Sep 4 – Oct 20 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 7 – Feb 21 | Sep 14 – Oct 30 |
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Yield
About 1.5 lbs per plant over ~14 productive weeks (~1.5 lb). Re-sow every ~30 days for a steady supply instead of one glut.
Watch for
Leaf miners · Aphids · Flea beetles — the pest guide covers organic fixes for each, and Pest Radar shows what gardeners near you are reporting right now.
On the plate (per 100 g, USDA)
19 kcal · 1.6 g fiber · 30 mg vitamin C · 379 mg potassium
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code — not just your zone — in about 60 seconds.