Growing Chives

There are a number of herbs and vegetables that are perennial, meaning that they will return year after year to give you a harvest.  One of my favorite perennial herbs, or one of my favorite herbs in general, is chives.

There are 2 types of chives, the common chive (Allium schoenoprasum) and garlic chives (Allium tuberosum).  The common chives have a mild onion flavor and the garlic chives have a garlic flavor.

Pictured above is the common chive, the one that I have grown for years.  This clump has moved with me to our current location and it has been divided and shared many times.

Both the leaves and flowers of chives are edible.

The most commonly used part of the chive plant is the leaves.  The leaves are hollow and grass like and are best used fresh.

The flowers are also edible and can be cut and used fresh while they are in season.  They are usually used in salads and as a garnish.

How to Grow Chives

• Chives grow from small bulblets
• Chives are one of the first of the herbs that are ready in the spring
• Chives are milder than onions, and are members of the onion family
• Chives grow well in any zone from 3-9. They are very cold hardy
• Chives grow best in full sun
• Chives like well-drained rich soil that has been amended with compost
• Plant clumps of chives 6 inches apart
• Chives can be divided every three years and re-planted out after the last spring frost
• Water regularly, keep weeded and mulch
• Can be grown in containers and can be moved indoors for all year use
• Require minimal care, and I consider them well behaved.  Some of my reading says that the flowers heads, if left, can cause them to spread but I have not found it so.  If you have a problem with too much self seeding, just make sure the flower heads are cut off before they go to seed.
• Will flower from late May till June.  Flowers can be used fresh or dried in cooking, or as an ornamental or cut flower
• To harvest, just grab a handful or how ever much you need, and cut them off at the base.  If using the flower heads, just cut off as needed
• Chives can be used in salads, dips, egg dishes, in potato salad, on pizza or as a topping.

My favorite way to use chives-freshly chopped over a baked potato with butter and sour cream.

What a lovely, delicious welcome to Spring!

Do you grow chives?

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