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When to Plant Garlic Chives in Southampton 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.

Southampton County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 229 days.

At an elevation of 809 feet, Southampton County receives approximately 51 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, 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.

Southampton County, VA (Zone 7b) Long season
229 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
229 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Southampton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Aug 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Aug 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 28

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
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Garlic Chives needs ~1,481 GDD — county provides 4,522 GDD Excellent fit

Garlic Chives Planting Timeline โ€” Southampton County, VA

Garlic Chives Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 โ€“ Aug 13

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 โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
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 7b

Growing Season

229 days

Growing Tips for Southampton 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 Southampton County, VA?

Southampton County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Garlic Chives planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Southampton County, VA?

Southampton County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 10.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Southampton County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Southampton County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.