Jorielle's Blog

Chives
Mar 26, 2008 | 10:42 PM PST
Tag: chives

Perennial in Zones 3-9, chives are very easy to grow, at home in a pot on the windowsill as much as in the garden. Sometimes chives can get a little invasive, tossing their seeds about the garden. It's easily remidied by snipping the flowers before they set seed.

Plant in spring where plants can grow for at least 3 seasons undisturbed. After 3 years, divide the clump and replant or give away the extras.

Set plants in soil amended with compost or rotted manure; no other fertilizing is needed. Chives makes an attractive edging in the flower garden.

In warm areas, chives can remain evergreen throughout the year. You can harvest leaves whenever they're large enough. Use scissors to snip individual leaves or give the entire clump a haircut. The flowers have a more pungent, oniony flavor than the leaves and should be gathered just as they open.

Use chives fresh in salads or blend snipped chives with sour cream, butter, or cottage cheese for dips and spreads.

Watering: moderate

Light: full sun to partial shade