Blog

When to plant Chard in Bourbon County, KY

Plant Chard in Bourbon County after April 16; the prime window is April 2–April 23. A second sowing from August 17 to August 31 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Chard in Bourbon County, KY

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.

Bourbon County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 3,419 feet, Bourbon County receives approximately 46.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Chard during the growing season.

Bourbon County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Bourbon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Chard Planting Timeline — Bourbon County, KY

Chard Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 12 Mar 12 – Mar 26
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 – Apr 30
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 – Apr 23
Harvest June 11 Jun 11 – Jul 30
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 – Aug 31

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
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

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

50–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

193 days in Bourbon County

Growing Tips for Bourbon County

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 Bourbon County, KY?

Bourbon County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Chard planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bourbon County, KY?

Bourbon County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 26.

When should I plant Chard in Bourbon County, KY?

In Bourbon County, KY, plant Chard after the last frost (around April 16) and before the first frost (around October 26). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Bourbon County, KY for Chard?

Bourbon County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Chard grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Chard grow in Bourbon County's climate?

Yes — Chard grows well in Bourbon County's temperate climate. Bourbon County averages a 193-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 16 and first frost around October 26.

🌱

Your Bourbon County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Bourbon County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Bourbon County, KY. 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.