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When to Plant Chives in Arkansas County, AR

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.

Arkansas County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 243 days.

At an elevation of 803 feet, Arkansas County receives approximately 51.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chives during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chives root diseases.

Arkansas County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
243 days
Last Spring Frost March 14
243 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Arkansas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 16 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jul 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Aug 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 24

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 245 gal / 100 sq ft
Chives needs ~1,481 GDD — county provides 4,799 GDD Excellent fit

Chives Planting Timeline โ€” Arkansas County, AR

Chives Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 4
Harvest May 23 May 23 โ€“ Aug 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Transplant Outdoors
April Transplant Outdoors
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
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 7b

Growing Season

243 days

Growing Tips for Arkansas 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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Chives in Arkansas County, AR?

Arkansas County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 14. Plan your Chives planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Arkansas County, AR?

Arkansas County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and first fall frost is November 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Arkansas County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Arkansas County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.