When to plant chives in Manchester, New Hampshire

April 30 – May 14

Transplant outdoors · typical Manchester year

Climate basis: NOAA station Massabesic Lake, NH (USC00275211), 4 mi (6 km) from downtown Manchester (ZCTA 03101 centroid), elevation 253 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant chives outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (April 30). One year in ten still freezes after May 14.

Last spring freezeApril 301-in-10 after May 14

First fall freezeOctober 111-in-10 before Sep 30

Frost-free season≈ 164 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°Apr 17 – Oct 24kills even hardy greens

USDA zone6a-10 to -5°F winter low — not frost timing

The Manchester year

Start seeds indoorsMar 5 – Mar 19

Transplant outdoorsApr 30 – May 14

indoors under lights
in the garden
frost-free season
1-in-10 years still freeze to May 14

Chives in Manchester · freeze context from Massabesic Lake, NH, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Mar 5 – Mar 19

Wisconsin Horticulture starts chive seed indoors before the last frost date for planting out after frost danger, but says only 'a few weeks'; USU Extension fixes the lead time at 6 to 8 weeks of growth before garden planting, so sowing runs 8 to 6 weeks before the last spring freeze. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Apr 30). University of Minnesota Extension · University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension, Wisconsin Horticulture · Utah State University Extension

Transplant outdoors

Apr 30 – May 14

UMN Extension says the easiest and most successful way to grow chives is planting rooted clumps in spring after frost danger has passed, and Wisconsin Horticulture likewise puts indoor-started plants out after the danger of frost is past; both agree, so the window opens at the last spring freeze. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Apr 30). University of Minnesota Extension · University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension, Wisconsin Horticulture · Utah State University Extension

Variety assumption: Wisconsin Horticulture warns that direct-seeded chives give little or no harvest the first year, so rooted clumps or indoor-started transplants are the practical route.

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:

Crop rule sources (3)

University of Minnesota Extension: Growing chives in home gardens (accessed 2026-07-25)
"The easiest and most successful way of growing chives is planting rooted clumps in spring after frost danger has passed."
University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension, Wisconsin Horticulture: Chives, Allium schoenoprasum (accessed 2026-07-25)
"Seeds can be started indoors a few weeks before the average date of last frost to be planted outside after the danger of frost is past, or can be direct seeded once the soil is warm."
Utah State University Extension: How to Grow Chives in Your Garden (accessed 2026-07-25)
"Transplants need 6-8 weeks of growth before planting in the garden."

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