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When to Plant Garlic Chives in Rooks County, KS

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.

Rooks County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 176 days.

At an elevation of 691 feet, Rooks County receives approximately 20.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Garlic Chives during the growing season.

Rooks County, KS (Zone 5b) Moderate season
176 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
176 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Rooks County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Sep 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Sep 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (34 days to spare)
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 24

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 25 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 2,420 GDD Excellent fit

Garlic Chives Planting Timeline โ€” Rooks County, KS

Garlic Chives Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14
Harvest July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Sep 10

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 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 5b

Growing Season

176 days

Growing Tips for Rooks 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 Rooks County, KS?

Rooks County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Garlic Chives planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Rooks County, KS?

Rooks County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 16.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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