When to Plant Chives in Cumberland Center, Maine (04021)

Location

Cumberland Center, Maine

ZIP Code

04021

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Saturday, April 25, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Start Seeds Indoors

Saturday, February 28, 2026

Transplant Outdoors

Saturday, April 11, 2026

Based on last frost Saturday, April 25, 2026 · Zone 5b

Pro tip: Start Chives seeds indoors 8 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Saturday, April 11, 2026.

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Allium schoenoprasum

Days to Maturity 60 days

Mature Height 12-18"

Spread 12"

Type Clumping

Fruit Size N/A

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun to Partial Shade

💧

Water

Regular

↔️

Spacing

6" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.25" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 7-14 days

Ready to Plant Chives in Cumberland Center?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Saturday, February 28, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

CarrotTomatoRoseApple

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

BeanPea

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Chives

See which plants help Chives thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌱 Seed Starting Trays 🪴 Seed Starting Mix 💡 Grow Lights 🌡️ Heat Mat 🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

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🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟢 Easy

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Let flower heads dry completely on the stalk — seed pods will turn black.

Processing

Shake dried seed heads into an envelope; seeds fall out easily.

Seed Viability

Up to 2 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Chives self-sow aggressively — deadhead most flowers to prevent unwanted spreading in the garden.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 4 per sq ft of Chives. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Chives in Cumberland Center, Maine? +

In Cumberland Center (Zone 5b), start Chives seeds indoors around Saturday, February 28, 2026 and transplant outdoors around Saturday, April 11, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Cumberland Center, Maine? +

The average last spring frost date for Cumberland Center, Maine (ZIP 04021) is around Saturday, April 25, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 5b.

How long does Chives take to grow? +

Chives typically matures in about 60 days from transplanting. In Cumberland Center, that means you can expect harvest around Saturday, April 11, 2026 plus 60 days.

Should I start Chives indoors or direct sow in Maine? +

Chives should be started indoors 8 weeks before your last frost date. In Cumberland Center, that means starting around Saturday, February 28, 2026.

📚 More Chives Planting Guides

🗺️

Chives in Maine

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 5b Chives Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Cumberland Center

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Chives in Zone 5b

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) is a popular garden vegetable. In Cumberland Center, Maine, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b, you should start seeds indoors around Saturday, February 28, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Saturday, April 25, 2026. Plan to transplant your Chives seedlings outdoors around Saturday, April 11, 2026, about -2 weeks after your last frost date.