Blog

When to Plant Garlic Chives in Sussex 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.

Sussex County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 224 days.

At an elevation of 1,076 feet, Sussex County receives approximately 41.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Garlic Chives during the growing season.

Sussex County, VA (Zone 7b) Long season
224 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
224 growing days
First Fall Frost November 7

Sussex County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Aug 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Aug 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 29

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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Garlic Chives needs ~1,312 GDD — county provides 3,920 GDD Excellent fit

Garlic Chives Planting Timeline โ€” Sussex County, VA

Garlic Chives Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 18
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Aug 15

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

224 days

Growing Tips for Sussex 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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Garlic Chives in Sussex County, VA?

Sussex County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Garlic Chives planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sussex County, VA?

Sussex County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Sussex County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Sussex County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.