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When to Plant Chives in Brunswick County, VA

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.

Brunswick County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 526 feet, Brunswick County receives approximately 40.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chives during the growing season.

Brunswick County, VA (Zone 7b) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
209 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Brunswick County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Aug 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (67 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Sep 7

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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Chives needs ~1,369 GDD — county provides 3,814 GDD Excellent fit

Chives Planting Timeline โ€” Brunswick County, VA

Chives Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ Apr 28
Harvest June 16 Jun 16 โ€“ Aug 25

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

209 days

Growing Tips for Brunswick 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 Brunswick County, VA?

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

What planting zone is Brunswick County, VA?

Brunswick County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is November 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Brunswick County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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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 Brunswick County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.