When to Plant Chives in USDA Zone 8b
Zone 8b gardeners: here's your May plan
Welcome to May in Zone 8b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
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Bring in the chives
If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.
Before June arrives, get these ready
- First harvests: chives
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.
In Zone 8b, the average last spring frost is around February 25 and the first fall frost is around November 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 276 days.
Chives Planting Timeline — Zone 8b
Where Is USDA Zone 8b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 8b. Click any state to see the Chives planting schedule for that location.
Chives Planting Calendar — Zone 8b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Transplant Outdoors | March 4 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Harvest | May 6 | May 6 – Jul 15 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Transplant Outdoors |
| April | — |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 8b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 8b with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
60–90 days
Soil pH
6 – 7
Zone Temperature Range
°F to °F average annual minimum
Growing Season
276 days (Zone average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 0.5 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 8 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 12 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Chives in Zone
Sow every 6.9 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Chives in Zone
Zone has a short growing season (~276 days). Start Chives indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
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
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.
- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
- Full seed-starting + planting schedule with timing and spacing
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Saving Chives Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Breathable fabric pots that promote healthy root growth and prevent overwatering.
Built-in reservoir keeps herbs and greens consistently watered with less effort.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Related Plants
Chives in Other Zones
Chives by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Chives in Zone 8b?
In Zone 8b, plan your Chives planting around the average last frost date of February 25. Transplant seedlings around March 4.
Can Chives grow in Zone 8b?
Yes, Chives can grow well in Zone 8b, hardy in USDA zones 3a through 10b. Zone 8b has a growing season of approximately 276 days, which is sufficient for Chives (60-90 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Chives in Zone 8b?
In Zone 8b, expect to harvest Chives from May 6 – July 15. Chives takes 60-90 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 8b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 8b is around February 25, and the first fall frost is around November 28. This gives a growing season of approximately 276 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Chives?
Good companion plants for Chives include Carrots, Tomatoes, Lettuce. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Free Printable Garden Planner
A 24-page printable planner tailored to your zone. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.