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When to Plant Chard in Phillips County, AR

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.

Phillips County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 243 days.

At an elevation of 678 feet, Phillips County receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chard during the growing season.

Phillips County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
243 days
Last Spring Frost March 14
243 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Phillips County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: May 4 – Jun 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: May 9 – Jun 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (131 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jul 21

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 352 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Chard needs ~1,086 GDD — county provides 4,799 GDD Excellent fit

Chard Planting Timeline โ€” Phillips County, AR

Chard Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 7 Feb 7 โ€“ Feb 21
Transplant Outdoors March 14 Mar 14 โ€“ Mar 28
Direct Sow February 28 Feb 28 โ€“ Mar 21
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Sep 17
Harvest May 9 May 9 โ€“ Jun 27

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

50โ€“60 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

243 days

Growing Tips for Phillips 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

  • Corn
  • Cucumbers

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Chard in Phillips County, AR?

Phillips County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 14. Plan your Chard planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Phillips County, AR?

Phillips County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and first fall frost is November 12.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Phillips County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Phillips County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.