Chives (seeds)

 Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) are easy-to-grow, grass-like perennial herbs in the same family as onion and garlic.

Here’s what you need to know about growing and caring for chives:

Planting

Chives prefer full sun but can tolerate light shade. They thrive in well-drained, rich, and moist soil—similar conditions to onions. Dig in 4 to 6 inches of well-decomposed compost before planting. Divide clumps every 3 to 4 years to maintain vigorous growth. In warm climates, they may remain evergreen, while in cold climates, they die back in fall and return in spring.

Care

Watering: Provide about 1 inch of moisture per week.

Weeding: Use mulch to suppress weed growth around chives.

Fertilizing: Apply high-nitrogen fertilizer in late spring or early summer.

Pruning: No need to prune, but dividing clumps encourages growth.

Flowers: If you enjoy the edible blooms, be aware that chives self-seed freely.

Harvest

Harvest leaves and flowers as needed.

Chives are perennial, so they’ll come back year after year.

Remember that chives have a mild onion flavor and are great in salads or as a soup garnish. Their attractive purple flowers also make them interesting for both the garden and the table!