how to grow chives

It can cause problems if the plant is not cared for post-transplant, though. Rejuvenate congested clumps in the ground by lifting and dividing plants every three years or so. Are they okay to eat still? Chives grow best in full sun, though they will tolerate light shade. Chives grown outdoors prefers full sun. Avoid planting in wet soil that can encourage stem and bulb diseases. Chives can be started from seed, but they will produce quicker when grown from divisions from established garden plants. Growing Chives From Seed From March through April Seeds and Plants chives can be sown indoors to avoid frosts. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Chives bulbs grow just beneath the soil surface, so if you start to see the bulbs emerging, mulch around the plants with compost or manure to cover them up and give them a healthy dose of nutrients. Did you know you can read premium answers for this article? When plants have filled a container, either move into a slightly larger pot or lift the plant out and divide the rootball in … Preferring moisture retentive, well-drained soil and a sunny or partially shaded position outdoors, chives form 30cm (1ft) tall clumps and can also be grown in pots of soil-based compost. Prepare planting beds in advance with aged compost. Alternatively, you can grow chive plants under Growing Lights. Chives grow best in the cool seasons of spring and fall, making early spring an excellent time for planting seeds. Consider replanting chive your spare chives at the base of your apple trees. Why have they begun wilting? BEST SOIL FOR GROWING CHIVES Chives grow best in sandy or loamy soil. Chives planted in partial sun will grow slowly, so expect smaller or less frequent harvests. ", Unlock premium answers by supporting wikiHow, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/varieties-chives-24616.html, http://bonnieplants.com/growing/growing-chives/, http://www.vegetablegardener.com/item/2450/how-to-grow-chives, http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/gardens/chives-00400000006797/, http://www.gardeningblog.net/how-to-grow/chives/, http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/gardens/chives, http://herbgardening.com/growingchives.htm, http://www.motherearthliving.com/gardening/the-great-chive-division.aspx#axzz333fBzjCU, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Both onion and garlic chives are grown and used in a similar fashion. Before planting, incorporate 4 to 6 inches of well-composted organic matter. If a sunny window is not an option, chives growing indoors can get the necessary light from a fluorescent fixture six to twelve inches (15-30 cm.) Giant Siberian Chives. The seedlings will appear a week to ten days later. One way to grow chives is to divide an existing plant—ask a neighbor or … Continue harvesting chives as you would if they were outdoors. You can eat chives that have not fully matured, such as those that you removed while thinning out your newly-sprouted seedlings. Garlic chives grow incredibly easy, are perfect for beginners, and can spread and seed quickly. Start seeds indoors 8 weeks before your last frost and plant out in bunches when plants are sturdy and the risk of frost has passed. How to Grow Chives Indoors. To avoid overcrowding, divide up large clumps of chives every two to three years, separating the plant into clumps of two to three bulbs. Grow Chives Step-by-Step Guide. Growing chives is very easy to do. Disclosure. Container growing: Chives will grow easily in containers as an annual. Here is the easiest and most gardener friendly herb you can grow! By using our site, you agree to our. Easy to follow, step by step instructions guiding you how to grow chives in a pot. If you have a garden with other plants in it, you must place your chives next to carrots and tomatoes. To grow chives, start by tilling the soil in your garden, and add extra compost if you have clay-based soil. Patches can get dense, and they’ll need to be divided every 3 years or so. Chives are incredibly easy to maintain. This article has been viewed 109,794 times. Growing Chives - an easy to grow culinary herb that you can enjoy all year round. X If they are in pots and you are having a brutal summer, try moving them to a shadier spot during the hottest / sunniest time of the day. Allow the base to be debris free as this will deer slugs and snails from making this their home! This article was co-authored by Andrew Carberry, MPH. Sow seeds into a rich quality soil that has been fertilised with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. Chives do very well indoors and will frequently be the herb that will do the best in your indoor herb garden. Chives are a perennial herb found throughout the world. A sunny south window offers the six to eight hours of full sunlight needed when growing chives inside. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Divisions are the most common way how to plant chives. Do not dry your chives, since the drying process will cause them to lose flavor. What type of chives should I plant? Most chives will keep their leave through the winter. Cut off the flowers before they have completely opened, and add them to salads or use them as decoration on baked goods. Rotate pots if chives are reaching toward the light. They grow best in a fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Chives are hardy to zone 3, and will self-seed even in colder zones. Chives bulbs grow just beneath the soil surface, so if you start to see the bulbs emerging, mulch around the plants with compost or manure to cover them up and give them a healthy dose of nutrients. Chives are one of them. Chives will grow indoors satisfactorily under standard fluorescent lamps, and exceptionally well under high output T5 fluorescent plant grow lights, compact fluorescent, or high intensity discharge (metal halide or high pressure sodium) plant growing lights. Soil needs to be moist, fertile, rich, and well-draining. In most cases, they can withstand heavy harvests and keep producing year after year. Chives aren't just grown in herb gardens. unlocking this expert answer. Follow these steps to avoid any problem in the future. He has a Masters in Public Health Nutrition and Public Health Planning and Administration from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. If you have grown the chives in pots, remove to a more sheltered spot. If growing chives in a container, use potting soil to ensure better drainage. Chive plants produce beautiful flowers which makes them a perfect addition to landscaping. Your plant might have transplant shock if it is wilted-looking and generally sickly in appearance. Using 100 percent compost or topsoil in container plantings generally results in poor drainage and weak plants. Otherwise, chives are useful to have around most other plants. How To Grow Chives . Keeping your chive plant snipped back will cut down on the dried, yellow stems from overtaking the entire clump. Work in a handful or two of bonemeal per square metre (yard). Because of their versatility, chives are found in cuisines around the world. Grow chives in moist but well-drained soil or compost in full sun to partial shade. It's great in containers too. % of people told us that this article helped them. They grow well in pots and can be overwintered indoors, or positioned on a windowsill year-round to allow you to harvest from continually. This type of chive has garlic and onion-like flavor and is used in Asian dishes, stir-fry, and with meat. Allow plenty of space for an easy crop year after year. Keep multiple pots if you want to grow more chives. Chives are relatively trouble-free but can be prone to greenfly on new shoots, particularly if being grown in a greenhouse. When growing chives in containers, fertilize once a month and water whenever the compost begins to dry out. If you must bring them in (I’m looking at you, North Dakota! Here I have described everything in detail. How to Grow Chives. Chives will grow perfectly well in a position in full sun or in partial shade. The hollow, green smooth textured leaves have a taste that is similar to both leeks and onions. They’re a wonderful option to use as a perennial garden border among flowers or in a culinary container garden. Chives have a mild onion flavor and are delicious eaten raw on salads or as a colorful garnish. How to Grow Chives will show you the tips and techniques on how to grow this tasty herb that will add amazing value to any kitchen. They’ll grow in poor soil or thick clay too, but not very quickly. Spacing: Chives grow about 12 inches tall and spread about 12 inches across. Plant chives in early spring 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost. If you use a large pot, make sure the chives are at least six inches apart. The smaller clump should have at least five to 10 bulbs. Doing this will give you an option of a fresh year-round harvest of this herb. Research source. Growing chives in containers offers many advantages. Growing conditions of the chive plant. Rotate pots if chives are reaching toward the light. How to Grow Chives: Growing Chives: Chive grow easily and can be done by a few methods. Chives grow equally well in containers and the vegetable garden, we find them most useful in a pot close to the kitchen where it is easy to ‘cut what you need’ as you need them. Dig in plenty of organic matter – such as garden compost, well-rotted manure or other soil improver – especially in very well-drained sandy soils to hold moisture. Growing chives indoors is possible and rewarding when you are looking for a supply of this herb year-round. Choose a permanent spot to grow your chives. Once you have collected the seeds, sow them about 2 inches apart and a maximum of 1/4 inch deep. Work compost into the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Support wikiHow by Chives are said to repel deer, so consider planting your spare divisions in an area that deer have been a problem for you. Sow seeds directly in the garden after the last frost. You may also want to avoid planting chives near similar plants like onions and garlic. How to Grow Chives Indoors. Stay tuned for the first newsletter in the morning, straight to your inbox. Step 1. These are simply the chive leaves that have finished their growing cycle. Growing Chives from Seed. Chives grow best when watered frequently, as long as there is proper soil drainage. Growing Chives: Chive grow easily and can be done by a few methods. The best time to sow seeds is in early spring. Chives are members of the lily family grown for their leaves and flowers, which are equally popular in the garden and in the kitchen. Not only are chives a cinch to start growing, they’re a perennial herb—meaning they will grow in your garden for years! Grow chives all year even when the garden is under snow. So now that you know how to grow chives, it's time to roll up your sleeves and get to planting! Chives can grow well inside if you have a south-oriented window, or you can use grow light (none of them did). If a sunny window is not an option, chives growing indoors can get the necessary light from a fluorescent fixture six to twelve inches (15-30 cm.) Growing chives is very easy to do. Consider growing onion chives for cooking. Start seeds indoors 8 weeks before your last frost and plant out in bunches when plants are … When planting chives near each other, keep the bulbs at least six inches apart. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Harvest 3-4 times during the first year, and then cut monthly the years after. Lift and divide congested clumps to rejuvenate them. These are simply the chive leaves that have finished their growing cycle. Do not dry your chives, since the drying process will cause them to lose flavor. I didn't have any knowledge of how, when, or where to start my bulbs. F rom seed, division from an existing plant or when purchased from a garden centre. Depending on the selection, chives grow 10 to 20 inches tall and have the same tidy appearance as ornamental liriope. It loves the spring so let's get planting. Or you can start chives from seed. It's great in containers too. Chives are a cut and grow again herb, which will re-grow after you cut the leaves off for use. Mature chives grow from bulbs that produce green, thin, tubular stalks that culminate in various colors of leaves depending on the type, typically about 10 to 15 inches tall. ". It is best to divide chive bulbs in either March or October. This article has been viewed 109,794 times. Make sure the pot has a few drainage holes on the bottom so the soil doesn’t get too waterlogged, or else your chives could develop rot. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) are easy-to-grow, grass-like herbs that, with their mild onion flavor, taste great in a salad or as a soup garnish.Their attractive flowers also add interest in a garden and are attractive to pollinators, like bees. They are pest-free as they naturally deter most nuisance insects. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Growing Chives In the Landscape Use chives as a perennial edging or border plant in a flower bed or herb garden. Chives like to be in a sunny location. Proximity to the kitchen is probably chief among these benefits, but the ability to enjoy the attractive, homegrown, grasslike spikes of the plant’s leaves in your cooking is certainly reason for a happy dance as well. Cutting them back will create a new batch of bright green leaves. How to grow chives Cultivation. Chives do very well indoors and will frequently be the herb that will do the best in your indoor herb garden. [1] Late summer into early fall is a great time for potting up chives into containers to grow indoors. To guide you with ensuring the start of your planting process is perfect, here are the things you need to know. Mature plants can be planted out anytime after the risk of frost has passed. Chives do wilt a little when exposed to high temperatures and lots of sun. Growing chives indoors is also easy. How to grow chives in a garden Choose a spot in your garden that receives full sun or dappled sunlight. However be wary of planting chives next to peas and beans, as they are believed to inhibit their growth. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Grow-Chives-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Grow-Chives-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/88\/Grow-Chives-Step-1.jpg\/aid2296192-v4-728px-Grow-Chives-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"