When to Plant Chard in Atascosa County, TX
Your May gardening checklist
Your garden in Atascosa County, Texas is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
-
Basket week: chard
Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.
June 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.
Atascosa County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 26 and the first fall frost is November 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 276 days.
At an elevation of 1,942 feet, Atascosa County receives approximately 51.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Chard during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chard root diseases.
Atascosa County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.8-7.7
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 Atascosa County
How your county's soil matches Chard's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.8–7.7) is more alkaline than Chard prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Atascosa County is excellent for Chard — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Chard.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.1%). Annual compost additions will help Chard.
How to Plant Chard
Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Chard
Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 30 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 04.
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 | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | 3.5" | 1.6" | 1.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Mar | 3.5" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 3.5" | 4.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 3.5" | 7.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3.5" | 7.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3.5" | 7.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3.5" | 6.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3.5" | 4.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 3.5" | 3.1" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 3.5" | 2" | 1.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Nov in Atascosa 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 — Atascosa County, TX
Chard Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 29 | Jan 29 – Feb 12 |
| Transplant Outdoors | February 26 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 |
| Direct Sow | February 5 | Feb 5 – Feb 26 |
| Harvest | April 23 | Apr 23 – Jun 11 |
| Fall Sowing | October 4 | Oct 4 – Oct 18 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors |
| February | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| March | Transplant Outdoors |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | Fall Sowing |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Partial Shade (3-6 hours)
💧 Water
0.8"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
50–60 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 9a
📆 Growing Season
276 days in Atascosa County
Growing Tips for Chard in Atascosa County
Direct sow Chard outdoors after February 26 in Atascosa County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Summer highs in Atascosa County reach 91°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
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Chard in Atascosa County, TX?
Atascosa County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 26. Plan your Chard planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Atascosa County, TX?
Atascosa County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 26 and first fall frost is November 29.
Your Atascosa County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Atascosa County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.