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When to Plant Garlic Chives in Montgomery 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.

Montgomery County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 590 feet, Montgomery County receives approximately 51 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, 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.

Montgomery County, VA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Montgomery County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Sep 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Sep 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Oct 6

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 ~1,256 GDD — county provides 2,931 GDD Excellent fit

Garlic Chives Planting Timeline โ€” Montgomery County, VA

Garlic Chives Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 17
Harvest July 5 Jul 5 โ€“ Sep 13

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 6b

Growing Season

175 days

Growing Tips for Montgomery 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 Montgomery County, VA?

Montgomery County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Garlic Chives planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Montgomery County, VA?

Montgomery County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 18.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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