Blog

When to Plant Chives in Dyer County, TN

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.

Dyer County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 1,191 feet, Dyer County receives approximately 51.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chives during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chives root diseases.

Dyer County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 2
209 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Dyer County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Aug 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Sep 5

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Chives needs ~1,425 GDD — county provides 3,971 GDD Excellent fit

Chives Planting Timeline โ€” Dyer County, TN

Chives Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 23
Harvest June 11 Jun 11 โ€“ Aug 20

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 7a

Growing Season

209 days

Growing Tips for Dyer 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 Dyer County, TN?

Dyer County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 2. Plan your Chives planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dyer County, TN?

Dyer County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and first fall frost is October 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Dyer County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Dyer County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.