When to Plant Chard in Houston County, TX
What to do in May
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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Harvest chard as they ripen
This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.
To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
- 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.
Houston County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 2 and the first fall frost is November 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 266 days.
At an elevation of 379 feet, Houston County receives approximately 59.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Chard during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Chard will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chard root diseases.
Houston County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Sandy Loam
Soil pH
5.8-6.7
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 Houston County
How your county's soil matches Chard's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.8–6.7) overlaps with Chard's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
Sandy soil in Houston County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Chard will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is low (1.8%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting 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 24 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 14.
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 | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 3.5" | 4.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 3.5" | 5.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 3.5" | 9.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3.5" | 8.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3.5" | 8.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3.5" | 5.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3.5" | 5.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 3.5" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | 3.5" | 2.1" | 1.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Houston 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 — Houston County, TX
Chard Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 26 | Jan 26 – Feb 9 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 2 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Direct Sow | February 16 | Feb 16 – Mar 9 |
| Harvest | April 27 | Apr 27 – Jun 15 |
| Fall Sowing | September 14 | Sep 14 – Sep 28 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors |
| February | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| March | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| 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 8b
📆 Growing Season
266 days in Houston County
Growing Tips for Chard in Houston County
Direct sow Chard outdoors after March 02 in Houston County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Sandy soil in Houston County dries quickly — mulch Chard with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.
Summer highs in Houston County reach 94°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
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Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Chard in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Chard in Houston County, TX?
Houston County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 2. Plan your Chard planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Houston County, TX?
Houston County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 2 and first fall frost is November 23.
Your Houston County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Houston County (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.