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When to Plant Chives in Buffalo County, WI

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.

Buffalo County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 141 days.

At an elevation of 661 feet, Buffalo County receives approximately 36.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Chives to ensure they mature before fall.

Buffalo County, WI (Zone 4b) Short season
141 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
141 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Buffalo County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Chives Planting Timeline — Buffalo County, WI

Chives Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 19 May 19 – Jun 2
Harvest July 21 Jul 21 – Sep 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June Transplant Outdoors
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 4b

📆 Growing Season

141 days in Buffalo County

Growing Tips for Buffalo 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 Buffalo County, WI?

Buffalo County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Chives planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Buffalo County, WI?

Buffalo County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is September 30.

🌱

Your Buffalo County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Buffalo County (Zone 4b). 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 Buffalo County, WI. 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.