Chives
How to sow chives successfully under cover?
To sow chives under cover, it is best to use small individual pots filled with good quality potting soil. The chive seeds should be sown on the surface of the potting soil, then covered with a thin layer of sieved potting soil. It's important to keep the mould moist but not soggy, by watering regularly with water at room temperature. Be sure to place the pots in a bright spot, but out of direct sunlight, to prevent sunstroke to the young plants.
It is recommended to sow chives under cover in spring, when temperatures start to warm up. Seedlings should germinate in 10 to 14 days. Once the plants have developed a few leaves, you can transplant them into the ground, in well-drained, sunny soil. Chives are easy to grow, hardy and undemanding. If you let a few plants go to seed, you'll be able to harvest seeds for sowing in subsequent years. Keep an eye out for disease and pests, encouraging biodiversity around your plants to protect them naturally.
How do I sow chives outdoors?
To sow chives outdoors, it is best to do so in spring, as soon as there is no risk of frost. Chives like well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Before sowing, it is advisable to prepare the soil by working it deeply and weeding it carefully.
It is advisable to sow the chive seeds about 20 cm apart, covering them lightly with soil. Be sure to keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate, then more widely spaced once the plants are well developed.
It's important to ensure that the chive plants get enough sunlight throughout the day. You can also pinch the flowers to encourage leaf growth. Chives can be harvested as soon as the stems reach around ten centimetres in height by cutting the leaves off at ground level.
How do I plant chives?
To plant chives in the ground, choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Chives prefer soil rich in organic matter and slightly acidic. Before planting, loosen the soil by adding compost or well-decomposed manure.
If you want to transplant chives, divide existing clumps in spring or autumn. Separate the sprigs carefully to preserve the roots. Then plant them directly in the ground or in individual pots. Be sure to space them about 20 to 30 cm apart.
The best time to plant or transplant chives is in spring. Re-pot it every 2-3 years to allow it to regenerate. Once planted, water it regularly without waterlogging it. Avoid over-watering to prevent root rot. By following these simple tips, you'll be able to enjoy fine chive harvests all year round.
How do I harvest chives?
Chives are an aromatic plant that is easy to grow and maintain. To harvest chives, we recommend doing so in spring or summer, when the plant is in full growth. It is best to cut the leaves a few centimetres from the ground using sharp scissors, taking care not to damage the plant. It is important not to remove more than a third of the leaves at a time, to allow the plant to continue to grow and regenerate.
Freshly harvested chives can be kept in the fridge for around a week. For longer storage, you can freeze the chopped leaves in ice cube trays filled with water. This way, you can enjoy your crop of chives all year round. By following these simple tips, you can easily harvest and preserve your chives naturally and effectively.
Chives
- Type : Aromatic plants
- Subtype : Leafy vegetables
- Botanical Family : Liliaceae
Characteristics
- Lifecycle : Perennial
- Exposure : Full Sun
- Frost Hardiness : Frost Resistant
- Cultivation Difficulty : Easy
- Adult Height : 25 cm
Sowing & Planting
- Greenhouse Growing : Not Required
- Sowing Depth : 1 cm
- Plant Spacing : 10 cm
- Row Spacing : 15 cm
Maintenance
- Maintenance : Low
- Water Requirements : Moderate
Seeds
- Soil Type : Humus-rich
- Soil pH Preference : Neutral
- Pest Sensitivity : Low
- Disease Sensitivity : Low
- Weed Sensitivity : Low
- Pollination : Insect-pollinated
- Propagation : Division