When to Plant Chives in San Francisco County, CA
Your May planting checklist for San Francisco County, California
Your garden in San Francisco County, California is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
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It's harvest week for chives
Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- First harvests: chives
Chives are a hardy perennial herb with a mild onion flavor and attractive purple pom-pom flowers. They are one of the easiest herbs to grow and maintain.
San Francisco County, California is in USDA Zone 10b. The average last spring frost is February 23 and the first fall frost is November 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 277 days.
At an elevation of 412 feet, San Francisco County receives approximately 13.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Chives during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Chives successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
San Francisco County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.2-7.2
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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.
Soil Compatibility in San Francisco County
How your county's soil matches Chives's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.2–7.2) overlaps with Chives's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in San Francisco County is excellent for Chives — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). Annual compost additions will help Chives.
How to Plant Chives
Succession Planting Chives
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 29 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Chives
Chives needs approximately 0.4 inches of water per week (1.7" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Chives Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 2.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | 1.7" | 3.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Mar | 1.7" | 2.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 1.7" | 1.2" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 1.7" | 0.3" | 1.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 1.7" | 0.1" | 1.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 1.7" | 0" | 1.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 1.7" | 0" | 1.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 1.7" | 0.1" | 1.6" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 1.7" | 0.6" | 1.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | 1.7" | 1.4" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Nov in San Francisco County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Chives Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Chives Planting Timeline — San Francisco County, CA
Chives Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Transplant Outdoors | March 2 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Harvest | May 4 | May 4 – Jul 13 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Transplant Outdoors |
| April | — |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.4"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
60–90 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 10b
📆 Growing Season
277 days in San Francisco County
Growing Tips for Chives in San Francisco County
Direct sow Chives outdoors after February 23 in San Francisco County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Chives in this region include onion maggots and thrips. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
General growing tips
Start from seed or divisions in spring. Cut back to 2 inches after flowering to encourage fresh growth. Both the leaves and flowers are edible and delicious.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Chives in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Chives in San Francisco County, CA?
San Francisco County is in Zone 10b with an average last frost of February 23. Plan your Chives planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is San Francisco County, CA?
San Francisco County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10b. The average last spring frost is February 23 and first fall frost is November 27.
Your San Francisco County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for San Francisco County (Zone 10b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.