When to Plant Chard in Lynn County, TX
Lynn County, Texas gardeners: here's your May plan
May is a pivotal month for Lynn County, Texas gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
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Sow chard in trays indoors
These need a head start before your last frost (March 31). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.
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Harvest chard as they ripen
If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.
Looking ahead to June
- 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.
Lynn County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 223 days.
At an elevation of 2,252 feet, Lynn County receives approximately 47.6 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.
Lynn County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Sandy Loam
Soil pH
7.5-8.5
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 Lynn County
How your county's soil matches Chard's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (7.5–8.5) is more alkaline than Chard prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
Sandy soil in Lynn 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 (1.1%). 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 10 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 31.
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 | — | 3.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 3.5" | 2.8" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Apr | 3.5" | 1.8" | 1.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 3.5" | 1" | 2.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 3.5" | 1.6" | 1.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 3.5" | 7.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3.5" | 9.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3.5" | 6.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 3.5" | 4.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | 3.5" | 3.2" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | — | 3.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Lynn 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 — Lynn County, TX
Chard Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 24 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 31 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Direct Sow | March 17 | Mar 17 – Apr 7 |
| Harvest | May 26 | May 26 – Jul 14 |
| Fall Sowing | August 31 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
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: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8a
📆 Growing Season
223 days in Lynn County
Growing Tips for Chard in Lynn County
Direct sow Chard outdoors after March 31 in Lynn County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Sandy soil in Lynn 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 Lynn 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 Lynn County, TX?
Lynn County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 31. Plan your Chard planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Lynn County, TX?
Lynn County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 31 and first fall frost is November 9.
Your Lynn County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Lynn 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.