Chives

VarietiEs

    Common chives (onion chives), Garlic chives, Giant Siberian chives.

WHERE CHIVES THRIVE

RESILIENCE

    ADAPTABILITY TO CLIMATE EXTREMES. This herb is one of the earliest to sprout in the cool of spring but it also grows in hot, dry extremes as long as you keep the soil moist and rich.

PLANTING

Best time of year to plant

Aim to plant chives four to six weeks before the last frost. Given its overall hardiness you don’t have to worry too much if you're a little off.

Companion vegetables

Since it repels many common garden pests, including cabbage worms, aphids, carrot flies, and even apple scab, chives partner well with parsley, cabbage, tomatoes, carrots, apples, celery, and other crops susceptible to these pests. There are no bad companions when planting chives so spread them around your garden to add beautiful color and natural insect control!

Growing

Chives have hollow shoots that grow to about one foot tall. Mature plants should be divided in the late summer every 3-4 years. If you have a hard time finding room for your multiplying chives, give clumps to your neighbors or friends!

Mulching

Mixing leaves and grass is an ideal mulching material for weed suppression and for adding nutrients back into the soil. Make sure that the leaves are shredded or else they mat together and restrict rainwater from seeping into the soil. You can shred leaves by raking them into a pile and letting they dry out completely. Have the kids (or energetic adults) play and jump on the dried leaves to break them up into small pieces. You can also run leaves over with the lawn mower a few times to shred them. Also be careful when mulching with fresh cut and very green grass. When laid more than 1/2 inch thick it begins to decompose and get very hot, so hot it will likely kill your plants!

Fertilizing

Incorporate compost into your soil before planting chives. Chives thrive in soil rich with organic matter and will likely require no additional fertilizer for years to come. Chives grown in sandy soil will need a boost at the beginning of each growing season. Mix in a 5-10-5 fertilizer each spring into the first 3 inches of soil around your plants. Avoid adding nitrogen heavy fertilizers—as with many other herbs, too much nitrogen can zap your chives of their already-mild flavor.

Weeding

Chives do not compete well for space and nutrients. For vigorous plants, place 2 inches of mulch around your plants at the beginning of spring to help suppress weeds and give chives a head start. Avoid burying your chives with mulch, leave a 2 inch ring around each plant.

CHALLENGES

pests

While chives are great at deterring many garden pests, onion thrips occasionally pose a threat. Keep your chives well-watered to avoid them. Thrips like to feed in large groups but are easily blasted off plants with water. For large infestations consider using an organic insecticidal soap.

Diseases

Allium rust, a fungal disease that causes bright orange spots on plants foliage, can be a problem in wet and humid climates. Your best defense against allium rust is to water the soil around your plants, avoiding the shoots, and give them good circulation by spacing out your plantings.

Particular growing challenges

Newly planted chives must be kept weed-free to survive. Other than that chives are an easy addition to a garden.

Wait to harvest chives until the plant is 6 inches tall. Then, you can clip up to 1 inch above the soil line 3-4 times per year. For the best flavor, harvest chives before they flower. Chives typically flower in May and June and you can harvest the blossoms and use them to flavor meals or use as a garnish.

ENJOY

Chives should typically be added as a last step, as their flavor is mild to begin with and excessive cooking can remove their flavor.

Garlic Chive Butter from The Spruce 

Smoky Salmon Chive Spread from Myrecipes

Mascarpone Chive Mashed Potatoes from Myrecipes