When to Plant Chard in Boardman, OR
June to-do list for Morrow County, Oregon
June is a pivotal month for Morrow County, Oregon gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
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Pick chard
If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.
July prep starts now
- 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.
Boardman, Oregon is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 173 days.
At an elevation of 2,335 feet, Morrow County receives approximately 20.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Chard during the growing season.
Boardman Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.4-6.8
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 Boardman
How your county's soil matches Chard's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.4–6.8) overlaps with Chard's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Morrow County is excellent for Chard — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Chard.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.6%) — 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 16 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 06.
Chard 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 | — | 3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 3.5" | 1.4" | 2.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| May | 3.5" | 1.2" | 2.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 3.5" | 0.7" | 2.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 3.5" | 0.4" | 3.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 3.5" | 0.4" | 3.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 3.5" | 0.8" | 2.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 3.5" | 1.7" | 1.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 3.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Morrow 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 — Boardman, OR
Chard Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 25 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Direct Sow | April 11 | Apr 11 – May 2 |
| Harvest | June 20 | Jun 20 – Aug 8 |
| Fall Sowing | August 6 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Harvest |
| July | 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: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7b
📆 Growing Season
173 days in Morrow County
Growing Tips for Chard in Boardman
Direct sow Chard outdoors after April 25 in Morrow 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
Your Morrow County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Morrow County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.