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When to Plant Chard in Warren County, IN

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.

Warren County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.

At an elevation of 764 feet, Warren County receives approximately 40.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chard during the growing season.

Warren County, IN (Zone 5b) Moderate season
178 days
Last Spring Frost April 19
178 growing days
First Fall Frost October 14

Warren County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 31 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 18

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 55 gal / 100 sq ft
Chard needs ~798 GDD — county provides 2,581 GDD Excellent fit

Chard Planting Timeline โ€” Warren County, IN

Chard Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 15 Mar 15 โ€“ Mar 29
Transplant Outdoors April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ May 3
Direct Sow April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 26
Fall Sowing August 5 Aug 5 โ€“ Aug 19
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 โ€“ Aug 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

178 days

Growing Tips for Warren 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 Warren County, IN?

Warren County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 19. Plan your Chard planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Warren County, IN?

Warren County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and first fall frost is October 14.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Warren County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Warren County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.