Monday, March 24, 2014

Easy from Seed -Chives

Chives grow easily from seed. Get a head start by sowing the seed indoors about a month before
you plan to set them out. Use them fresh to liven up salads and dressing, or garnish eggs, soups, and fish.
When to start: Sow seeds in early to mid spring indoors and move seedlings outside in late spring, ordirect sow after danger of frost has passed.
Where to plant: Plant in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil.
Planting depth: Cover seeds with ¼ inch of soil.
Care: Provide consistent moisture until seeds germinate.
Container growing: Chives is an excellent container plant. For a mixed container, combine it with
other herbs, such as sage, rosemary, and thyme, in a large pot. Good drainage is essential.
Harvesting: Cut chives to about ½ inch above soil level. Do not harvest the entire plant at one time; it
will need some green leaves to renew itself.

Hint: Chives are best used fresh, but if you like to save herbs for the off-season, chop the leaves and freeze them in water in ice-cube trays.  Once frozen pop them out and store in the freezer in zip lock bags.  Add to eggs, soups, stews, sauces as needed 

4 comments:

Angela McRae said...

I have never grown my own chives but I'd sure like to. In addition to the great taste, I think they are just plain pretty when they're growing!

(Are you having TFWS like I am? That's "Tea Friend Withdrawal Syndrome" after our big week in Kentucky!)

Steph said...

Pretty AND edible! A win-win

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

I used two containers of frozen chives this winter. Sooo my chives better get going quick! Thanks for all of the good information! xo

s. franks said...

Nancy, Thank you for the post card. What a wonderful surprise.

Sandy