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When to Plant Garlic Chives in Augusta County, VA

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.

Augusta County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 185 days.

At an elevation of 889 feet, Augusta County receives approximately 51.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Garlic Chives during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Garlic Chives root diseases.

Augusta County, VA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
185 days
Last Spring Frost April 20
185 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Augusta County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Sep 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 30

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Garlic Chives needs ~1,144 GDD — county provides 2,821 GDD Excellent fit

Garlic Chives Planting Timeline โ€” Augusta County, VA

Garlic Chives Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11
Harvest June 29 Jun 29 โ€“ Sep 7

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 Harvest
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 6b

Growing Season

185 days

Growing Tips for Augusta 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 Augusta County, VA?

Augusta County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Garlic Chives planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Augusta County, VA?

Augusta County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and first fall frost is October 22.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Augusta County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Augusta County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.