Chives

I am planning my 2010 garden and have decided to incorporate chives into the mix this year.  I have added chives to salads and dishes quite frequently for the past few months so I thought this would be a nice addition considering it is an edible flowering herb. This will be my first time planting them so I wanted to do a bit of research prior.  Conveniently enough...NOW is the time to start your process so I thought I would share in case you too would like Chives as a part of your 2010 garden.

Flowering Chive

 Ready to eat chives

Chives can be grown in almost any soil.  However, it is recommended that you start with a 50/50 mix of well rotted compost and potting soil. 

Chives like to be planted in full sun or partial shade.  They can be planted with your vegetables and/or flowers (avoid planting with other onions because this will attract onion flies).  They are fairly tolerant of drought, but it is suggested to not plant in a very dry area.

If you have previously planted chives:

You are ahead of the game and know that this herb is a perennial evergreen and can usually last throughout the winter.  Please note:  if the leaves have died due to drought, just cut them back because they are similar to the onion and have a bulb and your roots are still working and your chives will begin to grow in early spring (NOW). 

Propagation: production of a new plant from a portion of another plant

Late March - early April, is the perfect time to relocate chives to another pot, share with a friend (great gift for a lunch date/dinner party etc.), or to fill an empty spot.  Their bulbs multiply quickly.  Simply remove the clump of bulbs from the soil, separate each bulb, and plant just as you normally would above.   (propagation is not suggested for plants in their 1st year) 

Harvesting:

Cut the chives with scissors and remember to leave 2 inches of the leave above the soil.  The leaves grow back fairly rapidly.

If you prefer to use the flowering chives for decoration throughout your home, you can expect them to flower twice a year.  Once in the late Spring and once in July/August. 

I will post updates of my progress...