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When to Plant Garlic Chives in Shoshone County, ID

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.

Shoshone County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is September 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 139 days.

At an elevation of 6,353 feet, Shoshone County receives approximately 14.1 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.

Shoshone County, ID (Zone 5a) Short season
139 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
139 growing days
First Fall Frost September 26

Shoshone County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Sep 20
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Sep 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (2 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Oct 22

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
0.4″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 332 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Garlic Chives needs ~975 GDD — county provides 1,807 GDD Excellent fit

Garlic Chives Planting Timeline โ€” Shoshone County, ID

Garlic Chives Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 โ€“ May 31
Harvest July 19 Jul 19 โ€“ Sep 27

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

139 days

Growing Tips for Shoshone 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Garlic Chives in Shoshone County, ID?

Shoshone County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Garlic Chives planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Shoshone County, ID?

Shoshone County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is September 26.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Shoshone 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 Shoshone County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.