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Chives

Allium schoenoprasum

INTRODUCTION

Chives are a perennial herb closely related to the onion family.

Not only are they useful as a cooking ingredient, but they are highly ornamental and great for bees and other garden pollinators. Both the foliage and the flower are edible.

This clump-forming perennial is a very low-maintenance herb and should be an essential part of any herb garden.

Soil Preparation

Chives can be grown in pots, but improved harvests will be obtained when grown on the plot.

Chives are a relatively straightforward crop to grow but good soil preparation is essential for the best results.

The growing site should be in a sunny position with organic material added well in advance of sowing.

The ground should be light, fertile, free-draining and stone free. Heavy clay soils are not ideal.

Chives do not appreciate wet soils, especially if growing for the long term.

Sowing & Planting

Chives can be grown simply by planting a pot-grown plant. The plant will be ready for harvesting almost immediately and go on to produce crops in subsequent years.

If growing from seed, sow several seeds into a 9cm pot or modular seed tray filled with peat-free compost.

Lightly cover and water well.

Place in a propagator or somewhere warm. Seeds should germinate within 10-14 days.

When large enough to handle pot on or plant out on the plot. Choose a sunny position with moisture-retentive, well-drained soil.

Ensure plants are fully hardened before planting outside. Plant out at 30cm x 30cm spacings.

Growing & General Cultivation

Chives will die back and go into dormancy during the winter but will re-emerge in early spring.

Rejuvenate large clumps every few years by lifting and dividing them into several smaller clumps in spring.

With plants in pots, divide as with plants grown in the soil.

Pests & Diseases

Aphids can occasionally strike. These sap-sucking insects will secrete sticky honeydew, distort foliage and potentially spread viruses. Use an Organic Insecticide or consider Biological control. See Product Directory for details.

Leek rust is a fungal disease causing yellow spots on the leaves. It will be more prevalent in wet conditions.

Mild attacks of rust won’t harm the plant, but serious infections may cause leaves to shrivel and can affect yield. There is no chemical cure, but plants should regenerate the following year.

Harvesting

You can harvest chives from late spring until autumn.

Cut the leaves as required with scissors. Regular harvesting will encourage new growth.

To keep chives productive, remove faded flowers.

Chives are best used fresh. The leaves can also be frozen – chop them finely, pack them into an ice-cube tray and top up with water, then freeze. Pop out cubes whenever you need them.