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When to Plant Chives in Menominee County, MI

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.

Menominee County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 18 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 136 days.

At an elevation of 1,102 feet, Menominee County receives approximately 32.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Chives to ensure they mature before fall.

Menominee County, MI (Zone 4b) Short season
136 days
Last Spring Frost May 18
136 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1

Menominee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 28
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Oct 5
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 8 – Oct 17

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 7 gal / 100 sq ft
Chives needs ~975 GDD — county provides 1,768 GDD Excellent fit

Chives Planting Timeline โ€” Menominee County, MI

Chives Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 25 May 25 โ€“ Jun 8
Harvest July 27 Jul 27 โ€“ Oct 5

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 Transplant Outdoors
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 4b

Growing Season

136 days

Growing Tips for Menominee 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 Menominee County, MI?

Menominee County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 18. Plan your Chives planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Menominee County, MI?

Menominee County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 18 and first fall frost is October 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Menominee County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Menominee County, MI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.