When to Plant Chard in Wapello County, IA
This month in Wapello County, Iowa
Welcome to May in Zone 5b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
-
Start chard under lights
These need a head start before your last frost (April 21). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.
Before June arrives, get these ready
- 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.
Wapello County, Iowa is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 176 days.
At an elevation of 670 feet, Wapello County receives approximately 34 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Chard during the growing season.
Wapello County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.8-6.9
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 Wapello County
How your county's soil matches Chard's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.8–6.9) overlaps with Chard's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Wapello County is excellent for Chard — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — 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 15 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 05.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 3.5" | 3.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 3.5" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3.5" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3.5" | 3.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3.5" | 3.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3.5" | 3" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 3.5" | 2.6" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Wapello 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 — Wapello County, IA
Chard Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 21 | Apr 21 – May 5 |
| Direct Sow | April 7 | Apr 7 – Apr 28 |
| Harvest | June 16 | Jun 16 – Aug 4 |
| Fall Sowing | August 5 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
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 · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
50–60 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5b
📆 Growing Season
176 days in Wapello County
Growing Tips for Chard in Wapello County
Direct sow Chard outdoors after April 21 in Wapello 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 Wapello County, IA?
Wapello County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Chard planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Wapello County, IA?
Wapello County, Iowa is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 14.
Your Wapello County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Wapello County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.