When to Plant Chard in Hubbard County, MN
Your May planting checklist for Hubbard County, Minnesota
A quick May briefing for Hubbard County, Minnesota gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
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Move chard from tray to bed
Pinch off the lowest leaves on each seedling before you plant — it reduces water loss while the roots catch up.
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Seed chard outdoors
Mark the row. Birds and stray feet both have opinions about unmarked beds.
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.
Hubbard County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is September 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 138 days.
At an elevation of 733 feet, Hubbard County receives approximately 32.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 79°F, so choose short-season varieties of Chard to ensure they mature before fall.
Hubbard County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.7-6.8
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 Hubbard County
How your county's soil matches Chard's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.7–6.8) overlaps with Chard's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Hubbard County is excellent for Chard — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (5.2%) — Chard will thrive.
How to Plant Chard
Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Chard
Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 29 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 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 | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 3.5" | 3.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3.5" | 4.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3.5" | 3.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3.5" | 3.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3.5" | 3.2" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 2.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Hubbard 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 — Hubbard County, MN
Chard Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 31 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 12 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Direct Sow | May 5 | May 5 – May 26 |
| Harvest | July 7 | Jul 7 – Aug 25 |
| Fall Sowing | July 5 | Jul 5 – Jul 19 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | 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 3b
📆 Growing Season
138 days in Hubbard County
Growing Tips for Chard in Hubbard County
Direct sow Chard outdoors after May 12 in Hubbard 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 Hubbard County, MN?
Hubbard County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Chard planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Hubbard County, MN?
Hubbard County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is September 27.
Your Hubbard County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Hubbard County (Zone 3b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.