Chives – Growing Guide

Overview

• Name: Chives
• Botanical Name: Allium schoenoprasum
• Plant Family: Amaryllidaceae (Onion Family)
• Native to: Northern Europe, Asia, and North America

Description

Chives are hardy perennial herbs with slender, tapering, hollow, tubular leaves that resemble grass. They grow in dense clumps, reaching a height of around 30-50 cm (12-20 in) with a similar spread. Being members of the onion family, chives forms small bulbs from the roots.

Chives die down after the first hard frost in late autumn or early winter, where the green leaves turn yellow and die back to the ground. The bulbs stay alive below the soil over the winter period, and the chives typically begin to re-emerge in early spring, as new shoots sprout from the bulbs as the soil warms up. They can live for many years under favourable conditions.

The plant features small, globe-shaped, mauve or purple clusters of flowers on tall stalks in early summer. Chives are known for their mild onion flavor, and their bulbs are small and typically not harvested.

Interesting Facts

1. Chives are one of the smallest members of the onion family.
2. Historically, they were used as a medicinal herb to treat colds and infections.
3. They can repel some pests, such as aphids, Japanese beetles, carrot rust flies, and cucumber beetles, making them useful in companion planting.
4. The flowers are edible and make a colorful garnish.
5. Chives are believed to have been cultivated for over 4,000 years.

Basic Growing Information

• Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Water Requirements: Medium
• Soil Types and Properties: Fertile, well-draining, loamy or sandy soil, rich in organic matter
• Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.0
• Pot Size for Container Growing: Minimum 15-20 cm (6-8 in) wide and deep

Planting

Chives are a cool-season herb that prefers soil temperatures between 15-25°C (60-77°F). They grow best in full sunlight but will tolerate partial shade.

• Best Time to Plant:
  • Climates with freezing winters: Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost or directly sow outdoors in early spring.
  • Climates with milder winters: Plant seeds or transplants in early autumn or spring.

Note: Check gardening calendars for the best planting times in your location

• Spacing: 20-30 cm (8-12 in) between plants and 30-45 cm (12-18 in) between rows
• Seed Sowing Method: Sow seeds directly into ground, or sow seeds into seed tray and then transplant seedlings.
• Seed Sowing Depth: 0.5 cm (¼ in) deep
• Time to Harvest: 7-11 weeks when planted from seed
• Mature Height/Spread: Approximately 30-50 cm (12-20 in) tall and wide
• Grown From: Seeds or divisions

As chives are perennial plants (living longer than a year), new plants can be produced by dividing mature, established plants, as well as grown from seed.

Seeds can be started indoors around 4 weeks before the last frost, and can be sown in punnets or flat trays filled with seed starting mix or quality potting mix. The seeds germinate slowly, and take approximately 7 days to emerge.

Transplant seedlings after they have ben growing for 4 weeks, and harden them off before transplanting them into the garden. Keep the plants moist to aid in the establishment of the root system.

Care and Maintenance

• Watering Tips: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Mulch plants in spring to conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds.
• Fertilisation: Apply a balanced fertiliser once or twice a year, or use a composted and well-aged manure. A liquid fertiliser can also be applied every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.
• Pruning: Harvest regularly to encourage new growth.
• Support: Not needed

Growing Difficulty

• Easy to Grow

Growing Tips

• Divide clumps every 3-4 years to prevent overcrowding.
• Trim flower heads to maintain leaf production. When chive plants flower, remove the flower heads as soon as they start to dry out and die. This will help divert the plant’s energy back to producing leaves.

Companion Plants

• Good companion plants include: Carrots, tomatoes, and roses
• Avoid planting near: Legumes

Common Pests and Diseases

• Pests: Aphids, thrips, onion maggots
  • Prevention and Control Methods: Use insecticidal soap, beneficial insects, and crop rotation.
• Diseases: Downy mildew, rust
  • Prevention and Control Methods: Provide good air circulation and well-draining soil.

Harvesting

• Harvest Time: Chives can be harvested at any time once plants are established, when the leaves reach a height of 15-20 cm (6-8 in).
• Harvesting Tips: To harvest leaves, use scissors to snip leaves about 2.5-5 cm (1-2 in) above the soil level. This allows the plant to regrow quickly and ensures enough foliage is left for the plant to continue photosynthesizing and producing new growth. Avoid cutting too close to the soil, as this can damage the plant and impede its ability to recover.

Note: Avoid removing more than one-third of the plant at a time as that will weaken the plant and slow regrowth.

Propagation

• Produce new plants from seeds, divisions, or transplants.

Dividing Chive Plants

1. Timing: Divide established chive plants in the spring for best results.
2. Preparation: Water the plants a few hours before dividing to soften the soil and ensure the plants are well-hydrated.
3. Cutting Back: Trim the chives to a height of about 10 cm (4 inches).
4. Extracting the Plant: Carefully dig up the entire chive plant from the soil.
5. Separating the Clump: Drop the dug-up plant from a gentle height to break it apart into smaller clumps. Each new clump should have 3 to 4 individual plants.
6. Replanting: Plant the new clumps in their new location, ensuring they are spaced appropriately.

By following these steps, you can successfully divide and propagate your chive plants, ensuring healthy growth and productivity.

Culinary Uses

• Chives are popularly used as a garnish for salads, soups, and baked potatoes. They are also incorporated into sauces, compound butters, and herb vinegars.

In summary, chives are a versatile and low-maintenance herb that can enhance the flavours of various dishes. Their adaptability and resilience make them a delightful addition to any garden or windowsill, rewarding you with consistent harvests and vibrant blooms.

Please feel free to add any growing tips in the comments below, and also include your climate/hardiness zone if it’s helpful.