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When to Plant Chives in Stephens 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.

Stephens County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 220 days.

At an elevation of 3,055 feet, Stephens County receives approximately 63.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly 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.

Stephens County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
220 days
Last Spring Frost April 4
220 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Stephens County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Aug 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Sep 3

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Chives needs ~1,425 GDD — county provides 4,180 GDD Excellent fit

Chives Planting Timeline โ€” Stephens County, TX

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 7b

Growing Season

220 days

Growing Tips for Stephens 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 Stephens County, TX?

Stephens County is in Zone 7b 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 Stephens County, TX?

Stephens County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 4 and first fall frost is November 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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