When to plant chives in Aberdeen and Hoquiam, WA

Plant chives in the garden in Aberdeen and Hoquiam Apr 1 – May 27, either as seeds or as young plants started indoors Feb 4–18.

Easy Plant seeds or young plants

Why these dates

Aberdeen and Hoquiam's typical last spring frost is March 30. On the coast, the soil is usually ready for chives around April 1.

Coast. Mild winters but cool, foggy summers. Frost is rarely the problem; warmth is. Pick early, cool-tolerant varieties of tomatoes and squash.

Start seeds indoors Feb 4–18 in trays or small pots under a grow light or in your sunniest window. Or skip this step and buy young plants (starts) at a garden center.
Harden off the young plants: about a week before planting, set them outside for a few hours a day, a little longer each day.
Plant them in the garden Apr 1 – May 27, 8 to 12 inches apart. If you plant seeds instead, sow them ¼ inch deep.
Water deeply once or twice a week rather than a little every day, and mulch once the soil is warm.
Harvest: Snip leaves an inch above the soil whenever you need them. The purple flowers are edible too.

Few pests. Clumps get crowded after a few years; dig and divide them in spring.

A tough perennial that comes back every spring. Divide clumps every few years.

When is the last frost in Aberdeen and Hoquiam, WA?

Typically March 30. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by April 25. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Hoquiam Bowerman Airport.

Is it too late to plant chives in Aberdeen and Hoquiam?

The spring planting window runs through May 27. Later plantings tend to struggle in summer heat.

When should I start chives from seed indoors in Aberdeen and Hoquiam?

February 4 to February 18, which is 8 to 6 weeks before the April 1 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.