UK sowing calendar
When to sow chives in the UK
Chives sowing calendar (UK)
| Sow under cover | Jan-Apr |
|---|---|
| Sow / plant outdoors | Mar-Jun |
| Harvest | late spring-autumn (from mid-summer in year 1) |
Sow under glass from January for young plants to set out in late spring, or direct sow outdoors in spring. A hardy perennial that dies back in winter - lift and pot a clump for a sunny windowsill to extend picking.
UK timing runs on the last-frost date, not a USDA zone. Most of Britain sees its last frost around mid-May, with the north and exposed inland gardens a week or two later and the mild south-west and coast earlier. Tender crops start under cover and only go out once frost has passed; hardy crops can be direct-sown as soon as the soil is workable.
Timing aligned with the RHS grow-your-own guide for chives.
Keep going
When to sow chives in the UK — FAQs
When should I sow chives in the UK?
Sow chives under cover Jan-Apr, then outdoors mar-jun. Sow under glass from January for young plants to set out in late spring, or direct sow outdoors in spring. A hardy perennial that dies back in winter - lift and pot a clump for a sunny windowsill to extend picking.
Can you sow chives outdoors in the UK?
Yes — sow or plant chives outdoors mar-jun. Wait until after the last frost (around mid-May, later in the north) for anything tender.
When is chives ready to harvest in the UK?
Chives is typically harvested late spring-autumn (from mid-summer in year 1) in the UK, depending on your sowing date, cultivar and region.
Is it too late to sow chives?
It depends on the month and your region. Chives has a UK outdoor window of mar-jun; northern and exposed gardens run a week or two behind the south. Open Growli and tell it your postcode for timing tuned to your own last-frost date.