Chives are a member of the onion family and have a milder flavor than most onions. They are easy to grow and make a great addition to many dishes. Chives can be grown from seed easily. To harvest chives, snip them with scissors just above the ground.
| Botanical Name: | Allium schoenoprasum |
| Other Names: | Common Chives, Garlic Chives, Curly Chives |
| Type of Plant: | Perennial herb |
| Size and Appearance: | Grows up to 20 cm tall. Has long, thin, hollow leaves that are green in color. Flowers are small and lavender in color. |
Planting Time:
Spring or fall.
Blossoming Time:
Late spring to early summer
Propagation:
From seed.
Sun:
Full sun to partial shade.
Temperature:
Between 60-70°F (15°C – 21°C)
Soil:
Rich, well-drained soil.
Watering:
Keep soil moist but not wet.
Fertilize:
Fertilize chives once every two weeks with a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10.
Uses:
The leaves can be used as a garnish or added to salads. The flowers can also be used as a garnish.
How to grow Chives in the garden step by step
- Buy Chives seeds from a garden center or online retailer.
- Prepare the garden bed by tilling the soil and removing any weeds.
- Sow the Chives seeds in rows, spacing them about 6 inches apart.
- Water the seeds regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy.
- When the seedlings are about 4 inches tall, thin them out so that they are spaced about 12 inches apart.
- Continue to water and fertilize as needed.
- Harvest the Chives by cutting them back to about 2 inches above ground level when they are 8-10 inches tall.
In the following, I will cover each step in a little more detail.
1. Buy Chives seeds from a garden center or online retailer.
Chives seeds can be bought at most grocery stores, as well as online.
The best place to buy chives seeds is online, as you can find a wider variety of seeds and usually get them for a cheaper price.
2. Prepare the garden bed by tilling the soil and removing any weeds.
Chives like full sun and well-drained soil.
They will do best in a spot that gets at least six hours of sunlight a day. Chives also like to be in a spot where they can get some airflow to help prevent them from getting too wet and developing mold or mildew.
To prepare the soil in the garden for chives, first loosen the topsoil with a spade or tiller.
Chives prefer well-drained soil, so if your garden has heavy clay soil, consider amending it with sand or organic matter.
Next, create a furrow or bed for planting by raking the loosened soil into a mound.
3. Sow the Chives seeds in rows, spacing them about 6 inches apart.
Sow chive seeds thinly and evenly along the furrow, then cover with ½ inch of fine soil.
Water the area gently to settle the seeds. Chives can also be started from transplants. Set transplants 18 inches apart in prepared beds, and water well.
4. Water the seeds regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy.
Chive seeds need a lot of water when they are first planted. This is because they have a small root system and need to establish themselves in the soil.
Once they have established themselves, they will need less water.
5. When the seedlings are about 4 inches tall, thin them out so that they are spaced about 12 inches apart.
Chives should be thinned out when they are about 4 inches tall. The seedlings should be thinned to about 6 inches apart.
This will allow the chives to have room to grow and not compete with each other for resources.
6. Continue to water and fertilize as needed.
Chives are a type of herb that is part of the onion family. They are a hardy plant that can tolerate some drought, but they prefer to have moist soil.
When planting chives, make sure to water them well and keep the soil moist. If the soil starts to dry out, the chives will start to wilt.
If you want to maximize growth and yield, you should fertilize chives once every two weeks with a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10.
Chives are heavy feeders and need lots of nutrients to produce large, healthy leaves. Fertilizing chives regularly will also help to prevent them from going into dormancy.
7. Harvest the Chives by cutting them back to about 2 inches above ground level when they are 8-10 inches tall.
Chives are a cool-weather herb, so they should be harvested in the spring or fall. They can also be harvested in the summer if they are grown in a shady spot.
To harvest chives, cut the leaves about 1 inch above the ground with a sharp knife. Chives can be harvested every 2-3 weeks.
How to grow Chives in a planting pot
- Buy a pot or planter and fill it with high-quality potting soil.
- Sow chive seeds in the soil, spacing them about an inch apart.
- Water the soil gently but thoroughly, making sure to keep it moist but not soggy.
- Place the pot or planter in a sunny spot and wait for the seeds to germinate, which usually takes about two weeks.
- Once the seedlings have sprouted, thin them out so that only the strongest ones remain, spacing them about four inches apart.
- Keep watering regularly and fertilize every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer to encourage strong growth.
- When the chives are about six inches tall, you can begin harvesting them.
In the following, I will cover each step in a little more detail.
1. Buy Chives seeds, a pot or planter and fill it with high-quality potting soil.
Chives seeds can be bought at most garden stores or online. The best place to buy them is online, because you can find a wider variety of chives seeds and compare prices.
The perfect pot for chives would be a small, shallow pot with drainage holes. Chives need full sun and well-drained soil, so the pot should have good drainage to prevent the roots from sitting in water.
The perfect potting mix for chives should be well-draining and have a slightly acidic pH. This will help to prevent root rot and encourage healthy growth.
A good potting mix for chives would include equal parts peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite.
2. Sow chive seeds in the soil, spacing them about an inch apart.
To sow the seeds of chives in a planting pot, sprinkle the seeds on the surface.
Gently press the seeds into the mix and water lightly. Place the pot in a warm, sunny spot and keep the soil moist.
3. Water the soil gently but thoroughly, making sure to keep it moist but not soggy.
Chive seeds need to be sown in moist soil and then kept moist until they germinate.
Once they germinate, they will need to be watered regularly.
4. Place the pot or planter in a sunny spot and wait for the seeds to germinate, which usually takes about two weeks.
Chives like a sunny spot indoors, so a south-facing windowsill would be ideal.
They also like well-drained soil, so a pot with drainage holes in the bottom would be necessary.
5. Once the seedlings have sprouted, thin them out so that only the strongest ones remain, spacing them about four inches apart.
To thin chives seedlings, first wait until they are about 4-6 inches tall.
Then, using a sharp knife or scissors, cut off the weaker seedlings so that only the strongest remain.
Be sure to leave about 2-3 inches between each seedling.
6. Keep watering regularly and fertilize every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer to encourage strong growth.
The perfect fertilizer for chives that grow indoors is a slow-release fertilizer that is high in nitrogen.
7. When the chives are about six inches tall, you can begin harvesting them.
To harvest chives, simply cut the leaves off at the base of the plant with a sharp knife or gardening shears.
You can also cut the entire plant down to about 2 inches above ground level to encourage new growth.
Chives can be stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
How to use Chives
Chives are a type of onion that can be used in many different dishes. They have a milder flavor than most onions, and can be used raw or cooked. Chives are also used in some teas and medical preparations.
In food, chives are often used as a garnish or to add flavor to soups, salads, and other dishes. They can also be cooked and eaten on their own.
In tea, chives are sometimes used for their medicinal properties. They are believed to help with digestion and to have anti-inflammatory effects.
In medical preparations, chives are sometimes used as an ingredient in ointments and salves. They are also believed to have antiseptic properties.
Esoterically, chives are associated with the element of air. They are often used in spells and rituals involving communication, mental clarity, and new beginnings.
Facts about Chives
- Chives are a member of the onion family.
- Chives are native to Asia.
- They have been used in Chinese cuisine for over 3,000 years.
- Chives are a good source of vitamins A and C.
