When to Plant Chard in Hale County, AL
This month in Hale County, Alabama
May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Hale County, Alabama.
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Bring in the chard
Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- First harvests: chard
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.
Hale County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 244 days.
At an elevation of 405 feet, Hale County receives approximately 49.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Chard during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Chard, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.
Hale County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Clay Loam
Soil pH
5.8-6.5
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.
Soil Compatibility in Hale County
How your county's soil matches Chard's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.8–6.5) overlaps with Chard's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The clay loam soil in Hale County is excellent for Chard — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Chard.
How to Plant Chard
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Chard
Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 14 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 04.
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Chard
Chard needs approximately 0.8 inches of water per week (3.5" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Chard Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 4.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 4.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 3.5" | 4.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 3.5" | 3.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 3.5" | 3.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3.5" | 3.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3.5" | 5.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3.5" | 4.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3.5" | 3.4" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 3.5" | 3.1" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 3.5" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Hale County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Chard Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Chard Planting Timeline — Hale County, AL
Chard Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 7 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Direct Sow | February 28 | Feb 28 – Mar 21 |
| Harvest | May 9 | May 9 – Jun 27 |
| Fall Sowing | September 4 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| March | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | — |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
0.8"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
50–60 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8b
📆 Growing Season
244 days in Hale County
Growing Tips for Chard in Hale County
Direct sow Chard outdoors after March 14 in Hale County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
With Hale County's clay soil (32% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Chard. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.
Summer highs in Hale County reach 93°F — grow Chard as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.
General growing tips
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Chard in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Chard in Hale County, AL?
Hale County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 14. Plan your Chard planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Hale County, AL?
Hale County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and first fall frost is November 13.
Your Hale County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Hale County (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.