Chives
Allium schoenoprasum
Learn how to care for chives along with its history and classification details.
Hardiness Zone: 3-9
Soil Type: Slightly acidic to neutral
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Annual or Perennial: Perennial
Type: Herb
History: Chives have been cultivated in Europe since the Middle Ages, although signs of its usage date back to 5000 years ago, used by the Chinese. The Romans believed chives could relieve the pain from sunburn or a sore throat. They believed that eating chives would increase blood pressure and acted as a diuretic.
Chives are said to symbolize usefulness.
How to Care for Chives
Common questions and details on how to care for chives.
How do I plant chives?
How to Plant Chives. Sow seeds about 2 inches apart and no more than ΒΌ inch deep. Cover with a thin layer of soil. Once seedlings emerge, thin so that plants are spaced between 4 to 6 inches apart in all directions.
When is the best time to plant?
The best time to plant chives is in the spring, after frost danger has passed.
How do I propagate chives?
Propagation can be from chive seed, transplants, or division. Divide the plants every two to three years, separating new plants into clumps of about five bulbs each. When planting chive seeds, the soil should be rich, moist, and high in organic matter with a soil pH of between 6 and 8.
Can I grow chives in a pot?
Yes, you can grow chives in a pot.
How much should I water chives?
Chives like to be watered regularly.
How do I care for chives with fertilizer?
Chives prefer to be fertilized infrequently.
When do chives bloom?
Chives will bloom in the summer.
How do I know when chives are ripe?
When the plants are in flower. When the leaves are at least 6 inches (15 cm.) tall
When do I harvest chives?
You may begin picking chives 30 days after transplanting or 60 days after sowing seed.
What is the best way to store chives?
Roll herbs in a damp paper towel. Place chives in a bag. Do not seal the bag. Place the bag on the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.
Should I plant any companion plants?
Chives grow well with beets, carrots, tomatoes, strawberries, potatoes, rhubarb, kohlrabi, parsley, broccoli, cabbage, eggplant, mustard and peppers.
What are the health benefits of the chives?
Chives contain both choline and folate. Individually, each of these components is linked to improving memory functions. Studies show that adults who eat more foods with choline in them do better on cognitive tests, while people with low levels of choline seem to be at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
Chive Pesto
This pesto is good on pasta, chicken, fish, sandwiches, burgers, and toast.
Ate a chip, then went to the fridge for the dip. Everything was better with sour cream and chives
~Kim Harrison