When to plant Chives in Zone 5a
In Zone 5a, Chives: start seeds indoors around Mar 10–Mar 24; transplant outdoors around Apr 21–May 5. Expect to harvest around Jul 10–Jul 24.
| Step | When |
|---|---|
| Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – May 5 |
| Harvest | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
Tip: A hardy perennial — one clump returns for years. Snip often to keep it tender.
Zone 5a averages a last spring frost around May 5 and a first fall frost around Oct 1. These are zone averages — look up your ZIP for your exact area.
See the full Zone 5a calendar in the tool →