When to Plant Chard in Fallon, NV
July in the garden — Churchill County, Nevada
Here's what deserves your attention in Churchill County, Nevada this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 7a and timed around your local frost dates.
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Bring in the chard
Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.
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Plant your fall garden: chard
Fall crops get sweeter with a light frost. Don't be afraid of cool nights.
A few tasks this July that'll pay off in August
- 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.
Fallon, Nevada is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 152 days.
At an elevation of 5,306 feet, Churchill County receives approximately 8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 99°F, so Chard may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Chard will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Chard successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Fallon Soil Profile
Soil Type
Sandy Loam
Soil pH
6.9-8.3
Drainage
Well Drained
Chard 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 Fallon
How your county's soil matches Chard's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.9–8.3) is more alkaline than Chard prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
Sandy soil in Churchill County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Chard will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is low (0.9%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Chard.
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 08 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 29.
Chard Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 | — | 0.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 0.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 0.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 3.5" | 0.2" | 3.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 3.5" | 0.3" | 3.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 3.5" | 1.4" | 2.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 3.5" | 1.5" | 2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 3.5" | 1" | 2.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 3.5" | 0.8" | 2.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 0.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Churchill 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 — Fallon, NV
Chard Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 3 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 8 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Direct Sow | April 24 | Apr 24 – May 15 |
| Harvest | July 3 | Jul 3 – Aug 21 |
| Fall Sowing | July 29 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| 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
152 days in Churchill County
Growing Tips for Chard in Fallon
Direct sow Chard outdoors after May 08 in Churchill County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Sandy soil in Churchill County dries quickly — mulch Chard with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.
Summer highs in Churchill County reach 99°F — grow Chard as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.
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
Your Churchill County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Churchill 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.