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When to Plant Chives in Greenlee County, AZ

Chives are a hardy perennial herb with a mild onion flavor and attractive purple pom-pom flowers. They are one of the easiest herbs to grow and maintain.

Greenlee County, Arizona is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 183 days.

At an elevation of 4,156 feet, Greenlee County receives approximately 14.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Chives may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Chives will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Chives successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Greenlee County, AZ (Zone 7a) Moderate season
183 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
183 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Greenlee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.1-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Sep 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 25 🍅 Harvest: Aug 27 – Nov 5

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.3″/week
You supply
1.2″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,895 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Chives needs ~1,594 GDD — county provides 3,888 GDD Excellent fit

Chives Planting Timeline โ€” Greenlee County, AZ

Chives Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 13
Harvest July 1 Jul 1 โ€“ Sep 9

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

183 days

Growing Tips for Greenlee County

Start from seed or divisions in spring. Cut back to 2 inches after flowering to encourage fresh growth. Both the leaves and flowers are edible and delicious.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Peas
  • Green Beans

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Chives in Greenlee County, AZ?

Greenlee County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Chives planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Greenlee County, AZ?

Greenlee County, Arizona is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 22.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Greenlee County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Greenlee County, AZ. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.