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When to Plant Chard in Ogden, UT

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.

Ogden, Utah is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 26 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 118 days.

At an elevation of 6,211 feet, Weber County receives approximately 18.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Chard during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Chard successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Ogden, UT (Zone 7a) Short season
118 days
Last Spring Frost May 26
118 growing days
First Fall Frost September 21

Ogden Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Chard

Chard needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Chard Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Weber County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Chard Planting Timeline — Ogden, UT

Chard Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 21 Apr 21 – May 5
Transplant Outdoors May 26 May 26 – Jun 9
Direct Sow May 12 May 12 – Jun 2
Harvest July 21 Jul 21 – Sep 8
Fall Sowing July 13 Jul 13 – Jul 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors
May Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 7a

📆 Growing Season

118 days in Weber County

Growing Tips for Ogden

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 →

🌱

Your Weber County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Weber County (Zone 7a). 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 Weber County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.