Chives in Zone 4a & 4b
Allium schoenoprasum
When to plant chives in zone 4b
Zones 4a and 4b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Chives tolerates either.
| Start indoors | Mar 20–Mar 27 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 1–May 8 |
| Estimated harvest | Jun 30–Jul 7 (~60 days after planting) |
Spacing: 9 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-1.5 ft.
Chives are the easiest allium in the garden, a perennial clump that comes back every spring, tolerates cold well, and asks for almost nothing once it's established.
How chives fits zone 4's season
Zone 4b's frost-free window runs about 128 days, from May 15 to September 20. Chives needs about 60 days from sowing to first harvest.
Good companions
- Carrot: Same allium/carrot pest-masking effect measured for onion and carrot (Uvah & Coaker 1984) — a real, peer-reviewed field study, not folklore.
Where to buy chive seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing chives" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 4b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Chives in USDA zone 4b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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