When to Plant Chard in Montmorency County, MI
Your May planting checklist for Montmorency County, Michigan
Here's what deserves your attention in Montmorency County, Michigan this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 5a and timed around your local frost dates.
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Set out chard seedlings
Your last frost (May 19) has passed. These warm-season crops can handle outdoor soil now.
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Put chard seeds straight in the ground
Succession planting is the secret here. Put in a row now, another in 2 weeks, a third in 4.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- Starting indoors: 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.
Montmorency County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 135 days.
At an elevation of 1,107 feet, Montmorency County receives approximately 40.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Chard to ensure they mature before fall.
Montmorency County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6.1-6.8
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 Montmorency County
How your county's soil matches Chard's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.1–6.8) is within Chard's preferred range (6.0–7.0).
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Montmorency 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 02 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 23.
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 | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 4.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 3.5" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3.5" | 5.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3.5" | 4.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3.5" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3.5" | 3.4" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 3.5" | 3.2" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 2.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Montmorency 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 — Montmorency County, MI
Chard Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 14 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 19 | May 19 – Jun 2 |
| Direct Sow | May 5 | May 5 – May 26 |
| Harvest | July 14 | Jul 14 – Sep 1 |
| Fall Sowing | July 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| 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: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5a
📆 Growing Season
135 days in Montmorency County
Growing Tips for Chard in Montmorency County
Direct sow Chard outdoors after May 19 in Montmorency 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 Montmorency County, MI?
Montmorency County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 19. Plan your Chard planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Montmorency County, MI?
Montmorency County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 19 and first fall frost is October 1.
Your Montmorency County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Montmorency County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.