Grow
Chives
Chives are the most versatile of herbs. They’ll grow in just about any climate and, with their upright leaves, can fit themselves into quite compact spots. For example, chives make a tidy edging along garden beds.
Onion chives are the most popular. Their 30cm-tall clumps of narrow, tubular leaves die back during winter in cold climates and re-shoot in spring. In warmer climates, they stay in full leaf all year round.
The purple flower heads of onion chives not only look attractive in the garden, they can be picked and used as a garnish or for adding colour to a salad. But it’s the leaves, with their gentle onion flavour, that are most widely used. They’re an ideal solution for anyone who finds the taste of bulb-forming onions too strong.
Garlic chives have a slightly broader, flatter leaf. They grow a bit taller and have white, rather than purple, flowers. Their flavour is said to be more garlicky, although this difference is so subtle it can be hard to detect.
Another chives option is the chives look-alike, society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea). Its leaves are said to have a garlic taste that doesn’t cause offensive breath odours, hence the ‘˜society’ in its common name.
Chives are reputed to stimulate the appetite and help in the digestion of fatty foods. They’re rich in iron and it’s claimed they can lower blood pressure. Chives ‘˜tea’ produces a spray that repels aphids and controls some fungal diseases in the garden. The spray is easy to make: just pour boiling water over chopped chives (approximately 1 cup to 1 litre), allow to cool and use on the same day.
Growing new chives
Chives grow readily from seed. While it’s still a little early in most parts to sow them in the open garden, they can be started off in pots now and kept in a warm, sheltered spot (even on an indoor windowsill) until the end of the cold weather. Seedlings can then be transplanted into the garden or outdoor pots. Yates has both varieties, traditional and garlic in its seed range and both packets recommend planting chives with fruit trees and roses to keep pests away.
Another way of propagating chives is to divide the established clumps into smaller sections and re-plant these in the garden. Chives flourish in pots, which means you can have them growing right outside the kitchen door.
Before planting, dig some Bio-Gold or Dynamic Lifter pellets into the soil and feed every few weeks through the growing season with nitrogen-rich Thrive Soluble All Purpose Plant Food. Control thrips and mites with Yates Nature’s Way Insect & Mite Killer (which is an insecticidal soap), and snails and slugs by sprinkling Blitzem or Baysol pellets.
Comments (8)
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Margaret
Yates site member
07:52, 07 July 2010
I use chives all spring, summer and autumn in most savoury meals - especally salads. Didn't know I could use flowers, look forward to trying them.
Dawn
Yates site member
08:05, 07 July 2010
Just love Chives and use them a lot especially in Salads.
Heather
Yates site member
08:32, 07 July 2010
I love to use Chives with grated cheese, as well as in salads, mashed potatoes and anything else where a subtle onion flavour is an asset.
Valis
Yates site member
09:52, 07 July 2010
I throw chives into potatoes, soups, sandwiches, salads etc. Wouldn't not have them in my garden.
Liz
Yates site member
12:11, 07 July 2010
Chives are great to use as a garnish on soup and pizza - I love to give them a haircut.
amanda
Yates site member
12:17, 08 July 2010
I am definitely going to try planting seedlings now. You have got me all excited about what I can use them for. Thankyou
Michelle
Yates site member
12:47, 01 August 2010
Love chives, they're particularly good in scrambled eggs
Ruth
Yates site member
06:52, 07 December 2011
When I transplant my chive seedlings,(or any seeds) do I just take one seedling or leave them as a clump.
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