When to Plant Chard in McLean County, IL
This month in McLean County, Illinois
Welcome to May in Zone 6a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
-
Indoor seed-starting week for chard
Bottom-water once the first true leaves appear — it keeps stems dry and knocks back damping-off.
Get ahead of June
- 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.
McLean County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 183 days.
At an elevation of 1,024 feet, McLean County receives approximately 31.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Chard during the growing season.
McLean County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6-7
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 McLean County
How your county's soil matches Chard's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.0–7.0) is within Chard's preferred range (6.0–7.0).
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in McLean County is excellent for Chard — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (5.1%) — Chard will thrive.
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 19 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 09.
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 | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 3.5" | 2.9" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 3.5" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3.5" | 3.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3.5" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3.5" | 3.2" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 3.5" | 2.7" | 0.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 3.5" | 2.8" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in McLean 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 — McLean County, IL
Chard Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 18 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Direct Sow | April 4 | Apr 4 – Apr 25 |
| Harvest | June 13 | Jun 13 – Aug 1 |
| Fall Sowing | August 9 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
0.8"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
50–60 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
183 days in McLean County
Growing Tips for Chard in McLean County
Direct sow Chard outdoors after April 18 in McLean 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 McLean County, IL?
McLean County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Chard planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is McLean County, IL?
McLean County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 18.
Your McLean County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for McLean 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.