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When to Plant Chives in Gibson 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.

Gibson County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 3,658 feet, Gibson County receives approximately 52.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chives during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chives root diseases.

Gibson County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 4
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Gibson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Aug 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Sep 6

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Chives needs ~1,312 GDD — county provides 3,605 GDD Excellent fit

Chives Planting Timeline โ€” Gibson County, TN

Chives Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ Apr 25
Harvest June 13 Jun 13 โ€“ Aug 22

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

206 days

Growing Tips for Gibson 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 Gibson County, TN?

Gibson County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 4. Plan your Chives planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gibson County, TN?

Gibson County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 4 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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