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When to Plant Chives in Johnston County, OK

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.

Johnston County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 231 days.

At an elevation of 700 feet, Johnston County receives approximately 32.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chives during the growing season.

Johnston County, OK (Zone 7b) Long season
231 days
Last Spring Frost March 25
231 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Johnston County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jul 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Aug 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Sep 2

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 826 gal / 100 sq ft
Chives needs ~1,425 GDD — county provides 4,389 GDD Excellent fit

Chives Planting Timeline โ€” Johnston County, OK

Chives Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 15
Harvest June 3 Jun 3 โ€“ Aug 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May โ€”
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

231 days

Growing Tips for Johnston 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 Johnston County, OK?

Johnston County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 25. Plan your Chives planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Johnston County, OK?

Johnston County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 25 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Johnston 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 Johnston County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.