Blog

When to Plant Chives in Cottle County, TX

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.

Cottle County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 224 days.

At an elevation of 3,553 feet, Cottle County receives approximately 59.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 97°F, so Chives may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Chives will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chives root diseases.

Cottle County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
224 days
Last Spring Frost March 30
224 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

Cottle County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.5-8.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Chives

Chives needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Chives Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 1.2" 3.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 10.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 13.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 7.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Dec 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Cottle County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Chives Planting Timeline — Cottle County, TX

Chives Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 6 Apr 6 – Apr 20
Harvest June 8 Jun 8 – Aug 17

Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

224 days in Cottle County

Growing Tips for Cottle County

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

  • Peas
  • Green Beans

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Chives in Cottle County, TX?

Cottle County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 30. Plan your Chives planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cottle County, TX?

Cottle County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 30 and first fall frost is November 9.

🌱

Your Cottle County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Cottle County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.