Blog

When to Plant Garlic Chives in Kit Carson County, CO

Garlic chives are a perennial herb with flat leaves that have a mild garlic flavor. They produce attractive white flower clusters and are used in Asian cooking.

Kit Carson County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost is October 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 152 days.

At an elevation of 6,382 feet, Kit Carson County receives approximately 23.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Garlic Chives during the growing season.

Kit Carson County, CO (Zone 5a) Moderate season
152 days
Last Spring Frost May 9
152 growing days
First Fall Frost October 8

Kit Carson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Sep 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 29 – Oct 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
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Garlic Chives needs ~1,031 GDD — county provides 2,090 GDD Excellent fit

Garlic Chives Planting Timeline โ€” Kit Carson County, CO

Garlic Chives Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 16 May 16 โ€“ May 30
Harvest July 18 Jul 18 โ€“ Sep 26

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

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 5a

Growing Season

152 days

Growing Tips for Kit Carson County

Start from seed or divisions. Cut flower stalks before seeds set to prevent aggressive self-seeding. Both leaves and flower buds are edible and flavorful.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Peas
  • Green Beans

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Garlic Chives in Kit Carson County, CO?

Kit Carson County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 9. Plan your Garlic Chives planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kit Carson County, CO?

Kit Carson County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 9 and first fall frost is October 8.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Kit Carson County gardeners in Zone 5a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Kit Carson County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.