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When to Plant Chard in Borden County, TX

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.

Borden County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 227 days.

At an elevation of 4,231 feet, Borden County receives approximately 47.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 101°F, so Chard may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Chard will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Borden County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
227 days
Last Spring Frost March 29
227 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Borden County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Chard Planting Timeline — Borden County, TX

Chard Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 22 Feb 22 – Mar 8
Transplant Outdoors March 29 Mar 29 – Apr 12
Direct Sow March 15 Mar 15 – Apr 5
Harvest May 24 May 24 – Jul 12
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 – Sep 16

Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
September Fall Sowing
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

50–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

227 days in Borden County

Growing Tips for Borden County

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

  • Corn
  • Cucumbers

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Chard in Borden County, TX?

Borden County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 29. Plan your Chard planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Borden County, TX?

Borden County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 29 and first fall frost is November 11.

🌱

Your Borden County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Borden 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.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Borden County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.