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When to Plant Chives in East Feliciana Parish, LA

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.

East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 17 and the first fall frost is December 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 288 days.

At an elevation of 75 feet, East Feliciana Parish receives approximately 55.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, 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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chives root diseases.

East Feliciana Parish, LA (Zone 8b) Year-round
288 days
Last Spring Frost February 17
288 growing days
First Fall Frost December 2

East Feliciana Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (144 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 18 🍅 Harvest: Apr 22 – Jul 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (148 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 24 🍅 Harvest: Apr 28 – Jul 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (144 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 29

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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Chives needs ~1,650 GDD — county provides 6,358 GDD Excellent fit

Chives Planting Timeline โ€” East Feliciana Parish, LA

Chives Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors February 24 Feb 24 โ€“ Mar 10
Harvest April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ Jul 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Transplant Outdoors
March Transplant Outdoors
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
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 8b

Growing Season

288 days

Growing Tips for East Feliciana Parish

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 East Feliciana Parish, LA?

East Feliciana Parish is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 17. Plan your Chives planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is East Feliciana Parish, LA?

East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 17 and first fall frost is December 2.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help East Feliciana Parish gardeners in Zone 8b 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 East Feliciana Parish, LA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.