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When to Plant Chives in Hood County, TX

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.

Hood County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 236 days.

At an elevation of 1,554 feet, Hood County receives approximately 60.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chives during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Chives, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chives root diseases.

Hood County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
236 days
Last Spring Frost March 21
236 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Hood County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

7.3-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jul 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Aug 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 31

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 ~1,538 GDD — county provides 4,838 GDD Excellent fit

Chives Planting Timeline โ€” Hood County, TX

Chives Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 11
Harvest May 30 May 30 โ€“ Aug 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

236 days

Growing Tips for Hood 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 Hood County, TX?

Hood County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 21. Plan your Chives planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hood County, TX?

Hood County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 21 and first fall frost is November 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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