By Julie Christensen
If you grow no other herb , you must grow chives ( Allium schoenoprasum ) . These undemanding plants are as beautiful in a perennial seam as they are in the veg or herbaceous plant garden . They have sylphlike , bright green foliage that stays attractive throughout the summertime , as well as tufted lavender or livid flowers that come along in early summer . All parts of the chive plants are comestible , include the flowers , and they add a insidious , ticklish onion smack to any peach . They ’re specially tasty in scrambled eggs , salad and sauces .
Growing Chives
Unlike onion , chives are perennial and will come back class after class . When cared for properly , you could anticipate them to live for 10 to 20 year , at least . plant life chives from seed in early leaping . you may sow the seed forthwith in the ground after the last frost , or start up them indoors six week before the last Robert Frost . Sow them ½ to 1 inch deep in racy , amended soil and keep them evenly moist . industrial plant grown from seed need one year before they can be glean . If you ’re raring , grow them from nursery plant or get a start from a friend .
Select a location that catch full sun to light shade for cive . remediate the soil with compost or manure and 2 tablespoons 10 - 10 - 10 fertilizer before you plant Allium schoenoprasum . distance chive plants 12 to 18 inch apart . Chives grow 12 to 20 inches tall and wide , depending on the variety .
Keep the grime evenly moist the first season after planting . Once chives are found , they can tolerate some drouth , although they ’ll perform well with even moisture . Avoid overfertilizing them , which can promote rampant leafy growth and a diluted nip . If growth is slow , enforce 1 tablespoon 10 - 10 - 10 fertiliser in early spring , but no more .
Creative Commons Flickr photo courtesy of Mike Bowler.
To reap chives , reduce the outer will back to ½ inch above the ground . Do n’t cut the entire plant back . you could also snip the heyday to tot up to salads or to practice as garnishes . Do n’t leave the prime stand after they blow over . They ’ll ego - sow like crazy in the garden and the plants will become unproductive . dilute the flower stalk back to ground level .
Over time , chive planting become thick , tangled and unproductive . Plan to divide them every three to four twelvemonth . Dig up the flora in former spring and shorten them apart with a shovel . Replant the part plants in racy soil and water them well . Better yet , partake plants with friends and neighbors when it ’s meter to carve up them .
Varieties of Chives
Common chives(Allium schoenoprasum)is the character you ’re probably conversant with . Common schnittlaugh have good , hollow leaves and little flowers . They have a modest Allium cepa flavor and go back after the first frost .
Garlic chives(Allium tuberosum)are used as much for their ornamental value as their culinary value . These plant are about twice as big as common chives , with flat , wide leaves and large white flowers . The flower look in late summer . Garlic chive have a meek garlic sapidity and are often used in Asian culinary art .
Chives: Pests and Diseases
Chives are generally trouble - free , although they are susceptible to stem rot , mildew and leafage spots . To reduce the risk of stem putrefaction , found them in a location with good drainage . habituate boozer hosepipe instead of overhead sprinkler and avoid working in a tight garden . Treat wicked infection with antimycotic agent .
Thrips and Allium cepa fly may also infest chive . apply floating dustup covers to keep them out or spray with a pesticide if infestations become stern .
Uses of Chives
cive are best used fresh , although they can be dried for later habit . reduce the stalks and wrap them in a paper towel . Store them in the icebox for up to five days . you could also come out diced chives in ice third power trays . fill up with European olive tree oil or water and immobilise them . Use these cubes to season soups and casserole .
Chives can be mature indoors on a sunny windowsill . Make certain the passel has light , well - debilitate soil and adequate drainage holes . Keep the soil moderately moist . Growth will slow during the winter .
Want to learn more information on growing chives?
chew the fat the following links :
Chivesfrom the University of Minnesota
Learn how to grow chiveson YouTube .
Julie Christensen learned about gardening on her grandfather ’s farm and female parent ’s vegetable garden in southern Idaho . Today , she lives and gardens on the mellow plains of Colorado . When she ’s not dig in the dirt , Julie write about nutrient , instruction , parenting and gardening .
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Creative Commons Flickr photo courtesy of Mike Bowler.
