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When to Plant Chives in Cheyenne County, KS

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.

Cheyenne County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 158 days.

At an elevation of 967 feet, Cheyenne County receives approximately 24.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chives during the growing season.

Cheyenne County, KS (Zone 5b) Moderate season
158 days
Last Spring Frost May 4
158 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9

Cheyenne County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (18 days to spare)
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (18 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (14 days to spare)
Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Oct 8

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,104 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Chives needs ~1,088 GDD — county provides 2,291 GDD Excellent fit

Chives Planting Timeline โ€” Cheyenne County, KS

Chives Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 11 May 11 โ€“ May 25
Harvest July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Sep 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

158 days

Growing Tips for Cheyenne 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 Cheyenne County, KS?

Cheyenne County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 4. Plan your Chives planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cheyenne County, KS?

Cheyenne County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and first fall frost is October 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cheyenne County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Cheyenne County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.