Chives are used in almost every cuisine across the world, so you should have some in your garden! Here is how you can grow your own chives
Just think, chives are used in soups, tacos, mashed potatoes, and many more dishes. Chives just add freshness to anything you make.
They are also one of the first plants you can harvest during the spring. Every garden should have at least one chive plant.
The good news is that once you plant chives you get a harvest from early spring until late fall, and they are perennials! Plant chives once, harvest them forever.
Here are my tips and tricks for growing chives
Getting Chive Plants
There are two ways you can grow chives; from existing plants, or from seed.
How To Start Chive Seeds
Chive seeds should be started early in the year if you are starting them indoors. Sow the tiny black seeds on-top of potting soil and mist them until they sprout.
Then wait for them to grow a few inches tall before giving them a haircut. This causes them to grow hardier stems and roots.
Chives can then be planted outdoors in early spring as the plants will survive frost.
Another way to start chive seeds is by just scattering them during the fall. Just sow them on top of the soil and they will come up next spring.
How To Divide Chive Plants
You can buy chive plants from a store, divide them, or dig up a plant and transplant it. I got my chives by dividing an existing plant, and that is my recommended way to grow chives.
To divide a chive plant. Dig up the whole plant, use a shovel to cut off how many pieces you need, and plant them in your garden.
Don't worry, even though dividing the plant feels harsh the plants will withstand it.
How To Plant Chives
Chives can grow in most soil types. For the healthiest plants, choose a spot with rich, well draining soil.
I always recommend using compost in your planting holes! If you aren't making compost yet, read this article to learn how.
Chive plants also thrive in cool weather, and can grow in partly shaded areas. Once you have a spot to plant, dig a hole, add compost, plant your chives, water deeply, and mulch.
Harvesting Chives
Don't be shy when it comes to harvesting chives. The more you cut off the plant, the more they grow.
I like to harvest the tallest stems, but you can use the cut and come again technique for your chives.
What To Do With Chive Flowers
Chives will start to flower in late spring. They will shoot up tall purple flowers that attract pollinators.
These flower heads will eventually produce seeds. I recommend cutting the flowers to prevent seeds from forming because chives can spread all over.
The flowers are edible and can be used in many ways.
Keeping Chives Under Control
If you don't manage your chive plants they can spread and take over your garden. While they do spread, they are not as invasive as plants like mint and oregano.
I always cut the flower heads before they produce seeds, and divide the plant when necessary. This keeps the plant healthy and prevents spreading.
How To Prepare Chives For Winter
Chives are perennials in zones 3-9 and are very hardy. Mine reliably come back each spring.
I let the plants die back in late fall and leave the dead plant material on the plant. You can also mulch over the plants to protect them.
If you have your chives in a pot, I recommend burying your pot in the soil to keep it from freezing all the way through.
Chive Care For The Spring
Once the days start getting to 40oF during the spring, your chives will start growing again!
Before they get too big, I will pull out all the dead material from the previous year. This will help the chives get sunlight to start growing again.
Conclusion
Chives are very hardy herb that will grow in most gardens. When taken care of, they come back each year and give you months of fresh growth.
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