Chives
A perennial, onion-flavoured herb, chives are a delightful and easy-to-grow addition to any garden or kitchen. Their delicate flavour and edible purple flowers make them a versatile culinary and ornamental plant.
Chives seeds
£1.49 in the shop
Calendar
Sow
March – May direct outdoors, or indoors in February – March for earlier harvest
Plant out
April – June, transplant seedlings or divide mature clumps
Harvest
May – October (leaves), year-round if grown indoors
Conditions
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Water
Keep consistently moist, especially during dry periods
Soil
Rich, well-drained, fertile soil, pH 6.0–7.0
Spacing
15-20cm (6-8 inches) between plants/clumps
Containers
Excellent in pots (15-20cm diameter) or window boxes
Indoors
Can be grown on a sunny windowsill, though growth may be less vigorous
Care and harvest
Feeding
Minimal feeding needed; a balanced liquid feed every 4-6 weeks if in pots
Pruning
Snip leaves as needed; cut back hard after flowering to encourage new tender growth
Harvesting
Cut leaves from the base, about 2-3cm above the soil, using sharp scissors
Storage
Use fresh; can be kept in a plastic bag in the fridge for a few days, or frozen chopped
Good companions: Carrots, Tomatoes, Roses