When to Plant Chard in Wallowa County, OR
Your May planting checklist for Wallowa County, Oregon
May is a pivotal month for Wallowa County, Oregon gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
-
Transplant chard outside
Plant tomatoes deep — bury the stem up to the first true leaves to grow extra roots. Everything else goes in at the same depth it grew in the tray.
Before June arrives, get these ready
- 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.
Wallowa County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is September 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 134 days.
At an elevation of 1,240 feet, Wallowa County receives approximately 22.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Chard during the growing season.
Wallowa County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.3-6.2
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 Wallowa County
How your county's soil matches Chard's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.3–6.2) is more acidic than Chard prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Wallowa 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 (5.4%) — 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 Jul 24 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 14.
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 | — | 2.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 3.5" | 1.3" | 2.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 3.5" | 1" | 2.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 3.5" | 0.4" | 3.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 3.5" | 0.4" | 3.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 3.5" | 1" | 2.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 3.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Wallowa 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 — Wallowa County, OR
Chard Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 6 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 11 | May 11 – May 25 |
| Direct Sow | April 27 | Apr 27 – May 18 |
| Harvest | July 6 | Jul 6 – Aug 24 |
| Fall Sowing | July 14 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
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 | 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_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6b
📆 Growing Season
134 days in Wallowa County
Growing Tips for Chard in Wallowa County
Direct sow Chard outdoors after May 11 in Wallowa 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 Wallowa County, OR?
Wallowa County is in Zone 6b 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 Wallowa County, OR?
Wallowa County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is September 22.
Your Wallowa County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Wallowa County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.