When to Plant Chard in Pacific County, WA
May in Pacific County, Washington — your action list
Here's what deserves your attention in Pacific County, Washington this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 9a and timed around your local frost dates.
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Start chard under lights
Label every cell. You will absolutely forget which is which otherwise.
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.
Pacific County, Washington is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.
At an elevation of 14 feet, Pacific County receives approximately 47.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Chard during the growing season.
Pacific County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.6-6.2
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 Pacific County
How your county's soil matches Chard's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.6–6.2) is more acidic than Chard prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Pacific County is excellent for Chard — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (5.5%) — Chard will thrive.
How to Plant Chard
Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Chard
Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 30 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 03.
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 | — | 7.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 4.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 3.5" | 3.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 3.5" | 2.8" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 3.5" | 1.8" | 1.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 3.5" | 0.9" | 2.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 3.5" | 0.9" | 2.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 3.5" | 1.7" | 1.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 3.5" | 4.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 6.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Pacific 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 — Pacific County, WA
Chard Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 18 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Direct Sow | March 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 18 |
| Harvest | June 13 | Jun 13 – Aug 1 |
| Fall Sowing | September 3 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| April | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| 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_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 9a
📆 Growing Season
194 days in Pacific County
Growing Tips for Chard in Pacific County
Direct sow Chard outdoors after April 18 in Pacific 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
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Chard in Pacific County, WA?
Pacific County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Chard planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Pacific County, WA?
Pacific County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 29.
Your Pacific County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Pacific County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.