Chives Seeds

310 Seeds.

Other Names - Chinese Leek…

This easy to grow perennial herb is a valuable addition to any garden. It produces clumps of dark green, thin, long grass-like leaves with a strong onion flavour. The attractive pom-pom like lilac-pink flowers are also edible and look amazing in the flower borders as well as the herb garden. Chives is a very versatile herb and can be added to many dishes such as potato salad, soups, pasta dishes, salads, herb butters, soft cheese spreads etc.

• Freezes well in ice cubes.
• An onion flavoured herb with many uses.
• Attractive lilac-pink pom-pom like edible flowers.

Suitable For - Vegetable plot, raised beds, flower borders, cottage gardens, containers, wildlife gardens, patio's

Sowing Months - March - mid May

Harvest - September - November in the first year, April - November thereafter

Uses - Edible flowers, leaves for flavouring, eggs, soups, salads, butter, soft cheese, dips, spreads, etc.

Soil Preperation

Add some well rotted manure or compost to the soil a few weeks before sowing. If the soil is heavy clay or the drainage is poor mix in a generous amount of sand and gravel to the soil also. Remove any weeds from the area.

Sowing Guide

Early Sowing/Module Sowing

Sow 3 - 4 seeds on the surface of moist compost in modules or small pots.
Lightly cover the seeds with compost or vermiculite.
Place in a clear polythene bag and seal or if preferred place in a propagator. Germinate at the temperature suggested above.
Once germination has started remove from the bag or propagator and position in a cooler but not cold location with good daylight exposure, however protect from direct exposure to hot sun at this point.
When germination has finished grow on in a frost free greenhouse or cold frame until all risk of frost has passed.
Harden off before planting out into their final growing position.

Direct Sowing

Seeds are best started undercover.

Growing On

Water newly planted chives well until established.
To keep established plants productive, divided the plants every 2 - 3 years into two in early spring, replanting one half somewhere else in the garden or in another container.
To keep the plants productive water established plants regularly and especially in dry weather.

Harvesting

In the first year, harvest between September - November. However avoid overharvesting as the plants may struggle to recover.
In the second year harvest from mid April up until November.
To harvest, cut the grass-like leaves with scissors to within 3 - 4 cm of soil-level.
To ensure the plants keep producing leaves throughout the season, avoid snipping the tips of the leaves only when harvesting and remove the flower heads when they appear.
The pom pom-like pink flowers are edible. Simply pull the tasty florets apart and add to salads etc.
For winter use, fill an ice cube tray with finely chopped and lightly blanched chive leaves, top up with water then freeze. The cubes can be stored in polythene bags in the freezer and when needed a herb cube can be simply added when cooking.