When to plant Swiss chard in Ottawa County, Oklahoma, United States

Swiss chard can be planted after April 03, when air temperature is consistently in a range between 20°F and 80°F and soil temperature is above 45°F. For the best results, Swiss chard should be planted after April 27, when air temperature is consistently in a range between 50°F and 75°F and soil temperature is above 50°F.

Growing Swiss chard in Ottawa County

Ottawa County has on average 66 days, suitable for growing Swiss chard. Swiss chard needs on average between 50 and 60 days to mature and produce harvest. With 66 days suitable for growing, you can expect good harvest without too much effort if all planting activities are done in timely manner.

Swiss chard seeds can be planted between April 03 and April 18. Planting before April 03 without any additional protection is not advised because cold streaks can damage or kill off young plant. When planting after April 18, Swiss chard will not have enough time to mature and produce harvest.

Growing season extention

In order to maximize chances for a good harvest of Swiss chard in Ottawa County, some extra steps can be taken to extend growing season.

Start seeds indoors

When starting seeds indoors, it is possible to guarantee best possible conditions for young seedlings. Consistent temperature range, adequate watering and ample light (natural, supplemented with artifitial grow lights) will ensure you have strong and healthy seedlings just in time for transplanting into soil.

It takes 42 days on average for Swiss chard to sprout, and grow big enough to be ready for transplanting.

Ottawa County has 2 distinct seasons for growing Swiss chard

• In order to get plants ready for April 03 seeds should be started indoors bwetween February 20 and April 08

  Seeds started after April 08 are not likely to mature and produce harvest.

  Swiss chard needs on average between 50 and 60 days to mature and produce harvest. With 66 suitable for growth, you can expect good harvest without too much effort if all planting activities are done in timely manner.

• In order to get plants ready for September 28 seeds should be started indoors bwetween August 17 and August 31

  Seeds started after August 31 are not likely to mature and produce harvest.

  This Swiss chard growing season in Ottawa County is quite short, with only 33 days suitable for growth so it is really important to time your planting activities, and choose varieties with shorter time to harvest requirements.

Use a cold frame

When using a cold frame in a beggining of growing season You can protect young plants from possible temperature drops, this way growing season can start up to 2 weeks earlier.

Use an additional shading

On days, when air temperatures are expected to raise above 80°F, which is in top of tolerable range for Swiss chard, consider using additional shading to prevent heat shock.

Table with days suitable to grow vegetables in Ottawa County, Oklahoma