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When to Plant Chives in Hall County, NE

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.

Hall County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 163 days.

At an elevation of 853 feet, Hall County receives approximately 20.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Chives to ensure they mature before fall.

Hall County, NE (Zone 5a) Moderate season
163 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
163 growing days
First Fall Frost October 8

Hall County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Sep 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Oct 1

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 688 gal / 100 sq ft
Chives needs ~919 GDD — county provides 1,996 GDD Excellent fit

Chives Planting Timeline โ€” Hall County, NE

Chives Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 19
Harvest July 7 Jul 7 โ€“ Sep 15

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 5a

Growing Season

163 days

Growing Tips for Hall 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 Hall County, NE?

Hall County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 28. Plan your Chives planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hall County, NE?

Hall County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and first fall frost is October 8.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hall County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Hall County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.