When to Plant Chard in Beaver 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.
Beaver County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.
At an elevation of 1,073 feet, Beaver County receives approximately 38.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Chard during the growing season.
Beaver County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.1-6.6
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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
Chard Planting Timeline — Beaver County, PA
Chard Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 26 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 30 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Direct Sow | April 16 | Apr 16 – May 7 |
| Fall Sowing | August 9 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Harvest | June 25 | Jun 25 – Aug 13 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| 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
6 – 7
USDA Zone
Zone 6a
Growing Season
171 days
Growing Tips for Beaver 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
Level Up Your Garden
Chard in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Chard in Beaver County, PA?
Beaver County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Chard planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Beaver County, PA?
Beaver County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 18.
Plan Your Garden with Confidence
Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Beaver County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.
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