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When to Plant Garlic Chives in Teller 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.

Teller County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 148 days.

At an elevation of 6,538 feet, Teller County receives approximately 19.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Garlic Chives to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Garlic Chives successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Teller County, CO (Zone 5a) Short season
148 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
148 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Teller County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (6 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (8 days to spare)
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (3 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 3 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Oct 14

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 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Garlic Chives needs ~975 GDD — county provides 1,924 GDD Excellent fit

Garlic Chives Planting Timeline โ€” Teller County, CO

Garlic Chives Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 18 May 18 โ€“ Jun 1
Harvest July 20 Jul 20 โ€“ Sep 28

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 Transplant Outdoors
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

148 days

Growing Tips for Teller 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 Teller County, CO?

Teller County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Garlic Chives planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Teller County, CO?

Teller County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Teller County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Teller County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.