Chives Garden Guide
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Chives Care At A Glance
- Cool season, a perennial herb in the Allium family for full sun in pots or in-ground.
- Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks prior to the last average frost date.
- Prefers well-drained, organically rich soil with regular moisture.
- Harvest as needed or allow plants to form attractive small, round purple flowers.
Planting Instructions
Seed Starting Indoors:
- Use pre-moistened, seed starting mix free from fertilizer in 4 in. peat pots.
- Sow 10-15 seeds 1/4 in deep with light cover, in each 4 in. pot.
- Provide consistent bottom heat of 70°-75°F, and cover pots with a humidity dome or kitchen plastic wrap.
- After emergence, uncover, remove from bottom heat, and place seedlings in bright direct sun or grow lights.
- Maintain soil moisture as needed.
- Once seedlings mature (4-6 weeks), harden off for 7-10 days before planting out.
- Score the bottom of the peat pot, and plant pots as an entire clump with 10-12 in. spacing between each pot.
Direct Sowing:
- After the threat of frosts, when soil temperatures have warmed to 70°F.
- Sow 1-2 seeds per inch with a light cover of starting mix or peat, keep consistently moist.
- Thin seedlings to 2-3 plants every 6-8 inches after emergence.
Types
Chives - Allium Schoenoprasum
- Round cylindrical leaves like onions.
- Leaves and pink-purple blooms are edible, mildly spicy flavor like a weak onion.
- Use for soups, dips, potato, fish, and seafood, and pair with breakfast egg dishes.
- Note: Heat destroys the delicate flavor of chives, so add at the last minute while cooking.
Garlic Chives - Allium tuberosum
- Plants have narrow flat leaves and white blooms.
- Distinctive spicy garlic flavor is prized in Chinese dishes and is said to be indispensable for omelets.
- Used in a similar culinary fashion as regular chives.
Growing
- Easy and reliable perennial for zones 3-9.
- Chives are good double-duty plants for edible perennial gardens, borders, or containers.
- Prefers well-drained soil in a sunny location with consistent soil moisture.
- Harvest leaves or blooms by cutting fresh leaves with scissors as needed.
- Mature clumps of chives can be dug and divided in early spring.
