Chives in Zone 7a & 7b
Allium schoenoprasum
When to plant chives in zone 7b
Zones 7a and 7b 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 | Feb 13–Feb 20 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Mar 27–Apr 3 |
| Estimated harvest | May 26–Jun 2 (~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 7's season
Zone 7b's frost-free window runs about 198 days, from April 10 to October 25. 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 →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a genuine consensus of positive, independent reviews. See the sources cited on each item.
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 7b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
Pin this for later
Growing Chives in USDA zone 7b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
Save to Pinterest