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Here is the BEST Time to Plant Chives in Tennessee (2023)

Do you want to grow chives in Tennessee, but don’t know when to plant them?

Planting chives is not as easy as it seems.

Here’s why:

  • Chives are not able to survive frost or cold weather under 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

So if you plant them outside too early in the spring they will die. And if you plant them too late, your chives won’t produce a harvest before the first frost arrives in the fall.

Today, I’m going to teach you the ideal time to plant chives in Tennessee:

  • To Learn More About HOW to Grow Chives, Check Out This GUIDE!


When to Plant Chives in Tennessee

As you may have already guessed, you need to pay very close attention to your local weather in the spring. Specifically, you are going to need to watch when the last frost occurs.

In general, when there hasn’t been a frost for two weeks, you are SAFE to plant your chives outside in Tennessee!

For your reference, I have created this table for average frost dates for most major cities in Tennessee. If your city is not listed below you can find its Last & First Frost Dates HERE.

Tennessee Last & First Frost Dates

tennessee frost dates

Unfortunately, Mother Nature plays cruel tricks on us every year.

It should be noted that the above dates are just averages.

There are years when the last frost comes MUCH later. Sometimes, the last frost happens much earlier and you can get your chives planted outside in Tennessee much quicker.

Like I said before, you need to be very diligent in checking your local weather.

So what happens if a frost comes AFTER you plant your chives?

When you know a frost is coming you need to take action.

  • If chives are in pots, bring them inside
  • If chives are in the ground, cover them in burlap and hope they survive

Also, make sure not to plant your chives in your garden too late.

  • Planting chives too late will cause small chives or even worse, no chives.


When Should You Start Your Chives Seeds Indoors?

Depending on the type of chives, it takes roughly 45-55 days to grow chives from seed indoors and then transplant them to your garden.

For a specific date that you should start chives seeds indoors you should:

  • Find the last average frost date HERE
  • And then subtract 55 days from it

Not only this, but I recommend again paying close attention to your local weather report.

It should also be noted that the best technique for bringing your chives plants outside is to introduce them (in their pots) outside for an hour. And then increase the amount of time they spend outside each day by an hour until they have been outside for 8 hours.

This will “hardened” your chives plant, increasing its chances of fighting off diseases, insects, droughts, and wet conditions.

If you want to learn WHEN to plant ANY Vegetable in Tennessee, head over to HERE and just type in the vegetable you want to grow.

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