When to Plant Chard in Grand Forks County, ND
Your May game plan for Grand Forks County, North Dakota
Your garden in Grand Forks County, North Dakota is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
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Time to transplant chard
Harden off for 7 days — a little more sun each day — before planting. That's the difference between a seedling that thrives and one that stalls.
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Direct-sow chard
Thin ruthlessly once seedlings are up. Crowded roots mean smaller crops from every plant.
To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
- 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.
Grand Forks County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 142 days.
At an elevation of 572 feet, Grand Forks County receives approximately 27.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 79°F, so choose short-season varieties of Chard to ensure they mature before fall.
Grand Forks County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.8-7.4
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 Grand Forks County
How your county's soil matches Chard's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.8–7.4) is more alkaline than Chard prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Grand Forks County is excellent for Chard — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.3%). Annual compost additions will help Chard.
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 Aug 01 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 08.
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 | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 3.5" | 4.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3.5" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3.5" | 3" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 3.5" | 3.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3.5" | 2.5" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Grand Forks 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 — Grand Forks County, ND
Chard Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 30 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 11 | May 11 – May 25 |
| Direct Sow | May 4 | May 4 – May 25 |
| Harvest | July 6 | Jul 6 – Aug 24 |
| Fall Sowing | July 8 | Jul 8 – Jul 22 |
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: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 4a
📆 Growing Season
142 days in Grand Forks County
Growing Tips for Chard in Grand Forks County
Direct sow Chard outdoors after May 11 in Grand Forks 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 Grand Forks County, ND?
Grand Forks County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Chard planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Grand Forks County, ND?
Grand Forks County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is September 30.
Your Grand Forks County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Grand Forks County (Zone 4a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.