Chives: Planting, Growing, and Harvesting Perennial Onion Relatives

Chives are a perennial onion family member with beautiful purple flowers.

Cool-season, cold-tolerant perennials planted in early spring.

Caution: Flowers left to ripen scatter seeds and take over gardens. Easy to dig up and move if overwhelming.

Planting

• Full sun preferred.
• Soil: moist, fertile, rich, well-draining. Pre-plant: incorporate 4–6 inches well-composted organic matter. Apply 2–3 tbsp all-purpose fertilizer (16-16-8) per sq ft. Work compost/fertilizer 6–8 inches deep.
• Head start: seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before last frost. Transplants need good growth before garden set.
• Direct sow: as soon as soil workable in spring. Best growth at 60–70°F.
• Sow ¼ inch deep; final spacing 4–6 inches all directions.

Care

• Consistent watering throughout season for high yields. Moisten thoroughly.
• Mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
• For production: sidedress with fertilizer in May and July (1 tsp 21-0-0 per sq ft).
• Minimal care for mature plants.
• Remove flowers after bloom to prevent seed spread.
• Plants reach 12–24 inches tall, spread ~1 ft.
• Divide every 3–4 years in spring. Divided plants more productive. Allow several weeks growth before harvesting.

Pests and Diseases

• Bulb rots (soilborne fungi)
• White rot
• Mildew
• Rust
• Smut
• Fungal leaf spots (purple blotch, gray mold)
• Onion fly
• Thrips

Harvest and Storage

• Harvest 30 days post-transplant or 60 days post-seeding.
• Cut leaves to base (within 1–2 inches of soil).
• First year: 3–4 harvests. Subsequent years: monthly cutbacks.
• Flowers in May/June (edible).
• Use fresh or frozen (airtight bag). Dried chives lose flavor.
• Store cool in resealable container.

Recommended Varieties

• Garlic chives – mild garlic flavor for any dish

Wit & Wisdom

• Garden: plant chives near carrots.
• Bunches hung in home traditionally drove away diseases and evil. Explore herbal folklore.
• Chives symbolize usefulness. More plant symbolism.

Recipes

• Caramelized Onion and Chive Sauce
• Chive Rollups with Herb Cream Cheese Dip
• Chive Mashed Potatoes