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Growing Chives

Chives, is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaryllidaceae that produces edible leaves and flowers. Their close relatives include the common onions, garlic, shallot, leek, scallion, and Chinese onion. A low-maintenance perennial herb, chives are mainly grown for their leaves, which add a mild oniony flavour to a wide range of savoury dishes. They make an attractive edging for herb beds and borders, and grow well in containers, in sun or light shade. Their pink pompom flowers are also edible, adding colour to salads. They are particularly high in calcium, Fiber, Folate, Magnesium Manganese, Vitamins A, C, and Vitamin K.

How Much Space Do Chive Plants Need?

The easiest and most successful way of growing chives is planting rooted clumps in spring, after frost danger has passed. Divide established plants every three to four years. Spring is the best time for division. Space plants 6-12 inches apart. Plant chives in early spring 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost. They're a wonderful option to use as a perennial garden border among flowers or in a culinary container garden.

What Type Soil Do Chive Plants Like

Chives thrive in full sun and well drained soil rich in organic matter. Have your soil tested. A pH range of 6.0-7.0 is best. They tolerate light shade, but six to eight hours of direct light is best.

Planting Instructions

Chives are cool-season, cold-tolerant perennials that are best planted in early to mid-spring for an early summer harvest. Be mindful planting this herb, because it will take over your garden if the flowers are allowed to develop fully. The easiest and most successful way of growing chives is planting rooted clumps in spring, after frost danger has passed. Divide established plants every three to four years. ... Space plants 6-12 inches apart. Replant new clumps in soil enriched with organic matter, such as fine compost.

Nutrients

Normal- If the plant begins to weaken from continuous harvesting each year, use a very light application of a 5-10-5 fertilizer once each spring. Use an organic liquid fertilizer from Shivas Grow Garden nutrient lineup every four to six weeks for chive plants grown outdoors in containers or indoors in a sunny window.

Vegan- For best results if growing in small to medium size containers, use our VeGrow Quick Start to get the root system started and then use our VeGrow PK Booster once a week for the duration of the plants life cycle.

What can I plant next to Chives?

Chives grow well with just about anything. Grapes, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, cabbage, eggplant, kohlrabi, mustard, peppers, potatoes, rhubarb, roses, squash, and strawberries all do better when growing near chives. Asparagus, beans, peas, and spinach.

Harvest Time

Gather the leaves into a bunch. Use a pair of sharp cissors to remove the leaves. Dop not cut too closely to the bulb, or you will spoil the chances of the chives regrowing. You want to leave about 1/2 an inch of green leaves attached to the bulb above the soil.