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When to plant Chard in Kingman County, KS

For Chard in Kingman County, the safe spring window opens around March 31 and closes around April 21. Last expected frost is April 14, first fall frost October 24, giving a 193-day growing season. A second sowing from August 15 to August 29 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Chard in Kingman County, KS

Kingman County, Kansas Zone 7a June

Your June gardening checklist

Your garden in Kingman County, Kansas is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this June.

Avg. last frost April 14
Avg. first frost October 24
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Pick chard

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

A few tasks this June that'll pay off in July
  • First harvests: chard

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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.

Kingman County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 746 feet, Kingman County receives approximately 21.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Chard during the growing season.

Kingman County, KS (Zone 7a) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Kingman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Chard Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 9

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 Kingman County

How your county's soil matches Chard's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–7.6) is more alkaline than Chard prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Kingman 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

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Chard

4
successive plantings in your 193-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 25 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 15.

Chard Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 703 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.5" 2.5" 1" 💧 Light watering
May 3.5" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.5" 3" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Jul 3.5" 2.9" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Aug 3.5" 2.7" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3.5" 1.8" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.5" 1.2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Kingman 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 needs ~962 GDD — county provides 3,377 GDD Excellent fit

Chard Planting Timeline — Kingman County, KS

Chard Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 – Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 – Apr 28
Direct Sow March 31 Mar 31 – Apr 21
Harvest June 9 Jun 9 – Jul 28
Fall Sowing August 15 Aug 15 – Aug 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
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 7a

📆 Growing Season

193 days in Kingman County

Growing Tips for Chard in Kingman County

Direct sow Chard outdoors after April 14 in Kingman 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

  • Corn
  • Cucumbers

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Chard in Kingman County, KS?

Kingman County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Chard planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kingman County, KS?

Kingman County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 24.

When should I plant Chard in Kingman County, KS?

In Kingman County, KS, plant Chard after the last frost (around April 14) and before the first frost (around October 24). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Kingman County, KS for Chard?

Kingman County sits in USDA Zone 7a. Chard grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Chard grow in Kingman County's climate?

Yes — Chard grows well in Kingman County's temperate climate. Kingman County averages a 193-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 14 and first frost around October 24.

🌱

Your Kingman County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Kingman County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Kingman County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.