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When to Plant Chard in Grant County, WV

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.

Grant County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 170 days.

At an elevation of 2,758 feet, Grant County receives approximately 48.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chard during the growing season.

Grant County, WV (Zone 6a) Moderate season
170 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
170 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Grant County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 17 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 4

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Chard needs ~756 GDD — county provides 2,337 GDD Excellent fit

Chard Planting Timeline โ€” Grant County, WV

Chard Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 8
Transplant Outdoors April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 13
Direct Sow April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ May 6
Fall Sowing August 7 Aug 7 โ€“ Aug 21
Harvest June 24 Jun 24 โ€“ Aug 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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 6a

Growing Season

170 days

Growing Tips for Grant 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 Grant County, WV?

Grant County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Chard planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grant County, WV?

Grant County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Grant County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Grant County, WV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.