When to Plant Chard in Mona, UT
July in the garden — Juab County, Utah
Welcome to July in Zone 6b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
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Pick chard
Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.
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Start your fall crops: chard
Mid-season soil is hot. Sow a bit deeper than the packet suggests to find cooler, damper ground.
To set up a strong August, 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.
Mona, Utah is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 136 days.
At an elevation of 8,143 feet, Juab County receives approximately 23.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Chard to ensure they mature before fall.
Mona Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.5-7.6
Drainage
Well Drained
Chard 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 Mona
How your county's soil matches Chard's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.5–7.6) is more alkaline than Chard prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Juab County is excellent for Chard — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). 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 Aug 03 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 24.
Chard Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 3.5" | 2.8" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 3.5" | 1.6" | 1.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 3.5" | 1.9" | 1.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 3.5" | 2.6" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 3.5" | 1.7" | 1.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 3.5" | 2.1" | 1.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Juab 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 — Mona, UT
Chard Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 14 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 19 | May 19 – Jun 2 |
| Direct Sow | May 5 | May 5 – May 26 |
| Harvest | July 14 | Jul 14 – Sep 1 |
| Fall Sowing | July 24 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| 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 6b
📆 Growing Season
136 days in Juab County
Growing Tips for Chard in Mona
Direct sow Chard outdoors after May 19 in Juab County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
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
Your Juab County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Juab County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.