Sun
Sun or part shade. Prefer some shade in southern climes.
Water
Keep evenly moist. Mulch to retain moisture.
Soil
Ph of 6.0-7.0
Rich & well-drained with lots of organic compost or manure
Fertilizer
A handful of organic fertilizer at planting time and in springtime. If looking yellow, try foliar feed of sea kelp or compost tea
Hardiness
Zones 3-11, best in 5-9.
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Planting & Care
Chives are a perennial herb except in super cold areas they may not survive the winter.
Depending on type, they will grow 6-12 inches tall. They may be grown by seed or division.
If using seeds, use fresh as they are not viable for very long. Chives can be direct sown into the garden, but they are vulnerable prey of pests & rodents when they are small.
Sow seeds indoors or in a greenhouse in the winter, start in small pots or in a flat using these easy steps:
- Use a seed starting soil mixture or make your own with sterile sand or vermiculite & peat moss mix.
- Dampen soil mix before putting in flat or pot.
- Sow scattered and thickly if you have a lot of seed. Otherwise, scatter a pinch of seed over soil.
- Barely cover with soil and mist to moisten well.
- Cover with plastic wrap till germination.
- When they are up, place in the sun.
- Plants started from seed may take a while to grow into a full bunch. Before long, you will be having to divide them, though.
To transplant from the flat to the garden:
- Simply cut into squares like cutting a pan of brownies. (Don’t worry, they’re tough) If in a pot, transplant the whole clump.
- Being a perennial, soil prep before transplanting to their permanent home is important. Add lots of organic matter and a handful of organic fertilizer before planting in the hole.
- If growing in a row or as edging, space 5-8 inches apart.
- Water and mulch well.
Once established chives will be quite drought tolerant if mulched, but grow best with a good soaking once a week or more if warm temps in the summer.
Flowering: Chives send up pretty pink-purple or white (garlic chives) globe-like flowers in late spring to summer, which make a pretty garnish.
Being of the onion family, chives make a pretty companion plant for grapes, rose & tomatoes as they repel Japanese beetles & black spot.
Once your chives are established; maintenance is quite easy.
- If cut down after blooming, they may make another flush of growth before winter.
- In the fall, cut back to the ground and cover with mulch, leaves or pine needles for winter protection.
- In spring, remove mulch just to the sides of the plants to allow the plants to come up. Give a side dressing of organic fertilizer.
- After 3-5 years, clumps multiply & become crowded, dig & divide into small clumps & replant or give away.
To grow indoors for winter use, dig and pot up a plant form the garden in late fall, cut back, water & fertilize. A sunny window will produce the best growth.
‘Grolau’ is a smaller variety that is well suited for indoor or greenhouse growing as no dormant period seems to be necessary. Other varieties need a respite after blooming in between seasons.
Enemies, Pests & Diseases
Pests
Chives are rarely bothered by pests, being of the onion family, they are used as companion plants to repel insects for other plants, such as aphids.
- Tiny, thin insects barely visible; diagnosis is more by symptoms on your flowers and foliage that show up as dry, white tissue. This damage is from the thrips feeding on them. Also; signs of tiny brown fecal matter control may be as easy as a jet of water spray, insecticidal soap or diatomaceous earth.
- Add predators like Ladybugs & green Lacewings to feast on the larvae & adults.
- Try garlic or onion sprays. If you can apply a thick organic mulch in the very early spring it will help to prevent the adults from emerging A pyrethrum/rotenone spray will nail thrips as a last resort.
- For fall control/prevention; cultivate the soil around your plants to a depth of 2 inches and do it once again in the following spring.
- Destroy infected flowers and buds but don’t compost them. Throw them out.
Diseases
Diseases should not be a problem if watered properly and soil drains well.
- Leaf margins turn brown to black, growing tip particularly susceptible
- Related to inconsistent watering or calcium deficiency
- Grow resistant varieties if a problem
- In warm weather, control water
- Avoid excessive fertilization & apply foliar calcium spray
Harvest & Storage
Chives can be harvested at any time and are preferred fresh.
Harvest chives by snipping off the outermost leaves, cutting as close to the base as possible.
You can also chop the whole clump to the ground and it will re-sprout. Works well if you have numerous plants.
Use the leaves only. While the flowers make a good garnish, they are not good to eat and there stems are tough.
Chives can be dried for some storage life, but flavor is lost to a certain degree.
You can also microwave for 20 second blasts till dried but pliable, retains color & flavor.
Some varieties can be chopped and frozen. When thawed, use in recipes, not as a garnish.
In the Kitchen
We all love chives on a baked potato with sour cream & butter, but they can be used wherever you wish to have a mild onion flavor in soups, stews, butters, & dressings.
To save the flavor, add near the end of cooking. Use fresh as a garnish for salads, on top of soups, veggies, & sandwiches.
Make into a chive butter and serve over grilled meats & fish to finish off when plating up.
Nutritional Facts
Although generally used in small amounts, chives are packed with phyto-nutrients and antioxidants!
Chives provide the body a quick energy boost when snacked upon.
Resources
Johnny’s Selected Seeds – Complete selection of chive varieties. Organic seeds available. Large quantities available.
Seeds of Change – All organic choices, ‘Staro’ & ‘Nira’ & ‘Nelly’
Sand Mountain Herbs – Low prices, “Grulau’ for windowsill growing