When to Plant Chard in Real County, TX
May in the garden — Real County, Texas
A quick May briefing for Real County, Texas gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
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Start chard 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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Collect chard at their peak
Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- 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.
Real County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost is November 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 222 days.
At an elevation of 4,368 feet, Real County receives approximately 60.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 96°F, so Chard may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chard root diseases.
Real County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.6-7.7
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 Real County
How your county's soil matches Chard's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.6–7.7) is more alkaline than Chard prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Real County is excellent for Chard — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). 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 09 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 30.
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 | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 3.5" | 3.4" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Apr | 3.5" | 6.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 3.5" | 9.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3.5" | 8.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3.5" | 8.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3.5" | 7.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3.5" | 4.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 3.5" | 3.7" | 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 Real 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 — Real 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 30 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
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 8b
📆 Growing Season
222 days in Real County
Growing Tips for Chard in Real County
Direct sow Chard outdoors after March 31 in Real County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Summer highs in Real County reach 96°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 Real County, TX?
Real County is in Zone 8b 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 Real County, TX?
Real County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and first fall frost is November 8.
Your Real County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Real 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.