When to Plant Chard in Bent County, CO
Top priorities for Bent County, Colorado gardeners in May
Welcome to May in Zone 6a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- Starting indoors: chard
- 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.
Bent County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 163 days.
At an elevation of 4,516 feet, Bent County receives approximately 12.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Chard during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Chard successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Bent County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.8-7.8
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 Bent County
How your county's soil matches Chard's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.8–7.8) is more alkaline than Chard prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Bent County is excellent for Chard — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). 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 Aug 10 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 31.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
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 | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 3.5" | 1.4" | 2.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| May | 3.5" | 1.6" | 1.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 3.5" | 0.9" | 2.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 3.5" | 1" | 2.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 3.5" | 1.4" | 2.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 3.5" | 1" | 2.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 3.5" | 1.1" | 2.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Bent 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 — Bent County, CO
Chard Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 29 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Direct Sow | April 15 | Apr 15 – May 6 |
| Harvest | June 24 | Jun 24 – Aug 12 |
| Fall Sowing | July 31 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
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 | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
0.8"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
50–60 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
163 days in Bent County
Growing Tips for Chard in Bent County
Direct sow Chard outdoors after April 29 in Bent County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
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 Bent County, CO?
Bent County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Chard planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Bent County, CO?
Bent County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 9.
Your Bent County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Bent County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.