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When to Plant Chives in Lamoille County, VT

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.

Lamoille County, Vermont is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 151 days.

At an elevation of 823 feet, Lamoille County receives approximately 46.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Chives to ensure they mature before fall.

Lamoille County, VT (Zone 4a) Moderate season
151 days
Last Spring Frost May 8
151 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Lamoille County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (11 days to spare)
Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (9 days to spare)
Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Aug 2 – Oct 11

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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Chives needs ~919 GDD — county provides 1,849 GDD Excellent fit

Chives Planting Timeline โ€” Lamoille County, VT

Chives Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 15 May 15 โ€“ May 29
Harvest July 17 Jul 17 โ€“ Sep 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 4a

Growing Season

151 days

Growing Tips for Lamoille 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 Lamoille County, VT?

Lamoille County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 8. Plan your Chives planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lamoille County, VT?

Lamoille County, Vermont is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 8 and first fall frost is October 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lamoille County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Lamoille County, VT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.