Step-By-Step Tips For Growing, Harvesting, Storing, and Using Chives [Guide]

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a beginner, growing chives in your own garden is rewarding and easy. In this guide, we'll explore everything you need to know about growing chives, from planting to harvest.

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) are perennial herbs that belong to the onion family. They feature slender, hollow leaves with a mild onion-like flavor. Chives are commonly used as a culinary herb, lending their fresh and delicate onion flavor to dishes like soups, salads, dips, and more.

There are different varieties of chives that you can choose from to suit your preferences and gardening needs. While the most common variety is the standard chive, there are a few notable variations worth exploring:

Garlic Chives (Allium tuberosum): Also known as Chinese chives, garlic chives have flat, strap-like leaves and a milder garlic flavor compared to standard chives. They produce lovely white flowers that can be used as an edible garnish.

Siberian Chives (Allium nutans): Siberian chives feature slender, blue-green leaves and delicate lavender-pink flowers. They have a mild onion flavor and are particularly attractive in ornamental garden settings.

Curly Chives (Allium schoenoprasum 'Curly'): This unique variety of chives has curly or wavy leaves, adding a decorative element to your garden. They offer the same onion-like flavor as standard chives and are great for garnishing.

Giant Siberian Chives (Allium ledebourianum): As the name suggests, this variety of chives produces larger and taller plants. It features broad, blue-green leaves and lovely pink flowers. The flavor is similar to standard chives but with a slightly stronger taste.

Planting Chives

To ensure successful growth, chives require well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Aim for a slightly acidic to neutral pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. Chives can be started from seeds or transplanted as seedlings, but it is easiest to start from a transplant as they are easily divided to produce multiple plants.

It is a myth that chives will spread in your garden like mint and take over - while they are prolific growers, it is easy to simply remove any overgrowth once a year to keep the plant the size you want.

Caring for Chive Plants

Chives thrive in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Regular watering is essential, especially during dry spells. Applying a balanced organic fertilizer can provide the necessary nutrients for healthy growth. Chives benefit from occasional division to rejuvenate the plants and promote better growth.

Harvesting Chives

Knowing the right time to harvest chives is crucial for optimal flavor. Harvesting can begin when the leaves reach eight to ten inches tall. Chive plants benefit from being cut back about two or three inches above the soil every three or four weeks. Chive blossoms are also edible or can be left for pollinators to enjoy.

Storing and preserving chives can be done by various methods, including storing fresh chives, drying chives for later use, and freezing chives to enjoy their flavor year-round.

Common Chive Pests and Diseases

Chive plants may encounter pests such as aphids, thrips, and onion flies. Identifying these pests and implementing organic pest control measures is crucial. Strategies like handpicking, using insecticidal soap, and companion planting can help manage chive pests effectively. Additionally, practicing good garden sanitation, proper spacing, and watering practices can help prevent diseases like leaf spot and powdery mildew.

Pests

Aphids: These tiny, soft-bodied insects can cluster on the tender new growth of chive plants, sucking sap and causing distortion and stunted growth. To control aphids, start by spraying a strong stream of water on the affected plants to dislodge them. Alternatively, you can use insecticidal soap or make a homemade solution using mild dish soap and water to spray on the plants.

Thrips: Thrips are tiny, slender insects that can cause damage by piercing plant tissues and feeding on the sap. They can leave silver streaks or black dots on the leaves. One way to control thrips on chive plants is by introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs or lacewings that prey on thrips. Sticky traps can also be used to catch and monitor thrips activity.

Onion flies: These pests lay eggs near the base of the chive plants, and the larvae burrow into the stems, causing damage and rot. To protect chives from onion flies, cover the plants with floating row covers to prevent the adult flies from laying eggs. Make sure the covers are securely sealed around the plants to prevent any gaps.

Diseases

Leaf spot: Leaf spot diseases can cause dark spots or lesions on the leaves of chive plants. To prevent leaf spot, avoid overhead watering and ensure good air circulation around the plants. If leaf spot is observed, remove and destroy the infected leaves to prevent further spread.

Powdery mildew: Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that appears as a white powdery coating on the leaves of chive plants. To minimize the risk of powdery mildew, avoid overhead watering and provide adequate spacing between plants to promote air circulation. If powdery mildew develops, you can try spraying a solution of one part milk to nine parts water on the affected leaves, as the milk's natural enzymes can help suppress the fungus.

Downy mildew: Downy mildew is another fungal disease that can affect chive plants, causing yellowing of leaves and a fuzzy growth on the undersides. To prevent downy mildew, avoid overhead watering and provide proper spacing between plants. If downy mildew is present, remove and destroy the affected leaves to prevent further spread.

Can Chives Help Repel Pests?

Chives have been known to possess certain pest-repellent properties, which can be attributed to their distinctive odor and the compounds they contain. Chives produce a strong fragrance that some insects find unpleasant. The sulfur compounds found in chives, such as allicin, are believed to be responsible for this odor. The pungent scent of chives may help deter pests like aphids, carrot flies, and Japanese beetles from infesting nearby plants. Planting chives alongside other susceptible crops can act as a natural deterrent to pests. For instance, interplanting chives with roses may help repel aphids that are commonly attracted to roses. Similarly, planting chives near carrots can help deter carrot flies. Chives have been suggested as a potential deterrent for soil-borne pests like nematodes. The roots of chive plants release compounds into the soil that may help suppress nematode populations, reducing their damage to nearby crops.

Chive Health Benefits

Chives offer several health benefits due to their nutritional profile and potential medicinal properties. Chives are packed with essential nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like calcium, potassium, and iron. Chives contain antioxidants, such as flavonoids and sulfur compounds, which help combat oxidative stress and protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Chives contain organosulfur compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds may help reduce inflammation in the body, potentially benefiting conditions like arthritis and other inflammatory disorders.

Chive blossoms

Chive blossoms are the beautiful flowering part of the chive plant. They emerge from the chive plant in late spring or early summer, showcasing delicate and colorful clusters of small flowers atop tall, slender stems. Each flower is typically star-shaped and has six petals. The flowers can vary in color, ranging from pale pink to lavender-purple. The flowers are edible and possess a milder version of the chive plant's distinct onion-like flavor, albeit with a slightly sweeter and more delicate taste. They offer a subtle onion or garlic flavor, making them a versatile ingredient in various dishes. They make an excellent garnish, adding a pop of color and mild onion flavor to salads, soups, and other savory dishes. The blossoms can be used as a finishing touch, sprinkled over omelets, baked potatoes, or creamy spreads like hummus and cream cheese. They can also be used to infuse oils or vinegar for a hint of chive flavor.

To harvest chive blossoms, simply snip the entire flower stalk from the plant, taking care not to damage the surrounding foliage. It's best to harvest the blossoms when they are fully open but before they start to wither or lose their vibrant color.

Apart from their culinary applications, chive blossoms can be used as an attractive addition to floral arrangements or as an edible garnish for serving platters and cheese boards. They can bring a touch of elegance and a pop of color to various presentations.

Chive blossoms are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The clusters of tiny flowers provide a source of nectar and pollen, making chive plants beneficial for supporting pollinator populations in your garden.

Growing chives in your garden offers a fresh and aromatic herb that elevates the flavor of many dishes. By following the guidelines outlined in this comprehensive guide, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and techniques to successfully grow chives from seed to harvest. Enjoy the satisfaction of harvesting your own chives and savoring their delightful taste in your culinary creations. Happy chive gardening!