When to plant chives in Centralia and Chehalis, WA

Plant chives in the garden in Centralia and Chehalis Mar 25 – May 20, either as seeds or as young plants started indoors Jan 28 – Feb 11.

Easy Plant seeds or young plants

Why these dates

Centralia and Chehalis's typical last spring frost is April 22. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop can go in about 4 weeks before that.

West-side valleys. The Willamette Valley, Puget Sound and southern Oregon valleys. Long frost-free seasons, but soil stays cold and wet into May, so warm crops wait for warm soil, not just the last frost.

Difficulty: Easy
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Spacing: 8 to 12 inches apart
Planting depth: ¼ inch deep
Frost: Handles light frost
First harvest: About 60 days after planting

Step by step

Start seeds indoors Jan 28 – Feb 11 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 Mar 25 – May 20, 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.

Varieties that do well here

Common chives
Garlic chives
Staro

Watch out for

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.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Centralia and Chehalis, WA?

Typically April 22. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 10. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Centralia.

Is it too late to plant chives in Centralia and Chehalis?

The spring planting window runs through May 20. Later plantings tend to struggle in summer heat.

When should I start chives from seed indoors in Centralia and Chehalis?

January 28 to February 11, which is 8 to 6 weeks before the March 25 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

Also plant in Centralia and Chehalis around the same time

Planting dates for chives in nearby areas

Vancouver, WA Mar 15 – May 10
Longview and Kelso, WA Mar 15 – May 10
Portland, OR Mar 15 – May 10
Gresham, OR Mar 15 – May 10
Wilsonville and Canby, OR Mar 15 – May 10
Salem, OR Mar 15 – May 10

Full planting calendar for Centralia and Chehalis · Chives in every city