When to Plant Chard in Tipton County, TN
This month in Tipton County, Tennessee
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
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Sow chard in trays indoors
You're about 22 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.
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It's harvest week for chard
Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.
Before June arrives, get these ready
- 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.
Tipton County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 215 days.
At an elevation of 3,877 feet, Tipton County receives approximately 45.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Chard during the growing season.
Tipton County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.7-7.1
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 Tipton County
How your county's soil matches Chard's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.7–7.1) overlaps with Chard's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Tipton County is excellent for Chard — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help 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 Sep 01 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 22.
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 | — | 4.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 3.5" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 3.5" | 3.2" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 3.5" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3.5" | 3.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3.5" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3.5" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3.5" | 3.2" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 3.5" | 3.3" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 3.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 4.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Oct in Tipton 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 — Tipton County, TN
Chard Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 23 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 30 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Direct Sow | March 16 | Mar 16 – Apr 6 |
| Harvest | May 25 | May 25 – Jul 13 |
| Fall Sowing | August 22 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| 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 8a
📆 Growing Season
215 days in Tipton County
Growing Tips for Chard in Tipton County
Direct sow Chard outdoors after March 30 in Tipton 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 Tipton County, TN?
Tipton County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 30. Plan your Chard planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Tipton County, TN?
Tipton County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 30 and first fall frost is October 31.
Your Tipton County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Tipton County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.