Have you ever been interested in learning How to Grow Chives, but think it’s too hard?
Have you ever been interested in learning How to Grow Chives from seed, but don’t know how to start?
Well, I have great news!
I have created How to Grow Chives: 10 PROVEN Tips so that you can enjoy this tasteful vegetable all year, no matter where you live.
Choose These 3 Chives Types (Tips #1)
Are you interested in chives for a garnish? flavor? Or maybe for medicinal purposes?
There are more ways to use chives than you can count. But in order to have the most success with the uses of chives, you have to identify the correct type to grow.
I am recommending three general types of Chives Plants when learning how to grow chives from seed.
These are the easiest chives to grow from seed and plant. Also, these three provide the most uses.
1. Common Chive
Common Chives are 12-inch spiked plants that are hollow inside and have a beautiful, purple flower at the top of the plant that blooms in early summer.
This type of chive has an onion-like flavor and can be eaten raw, cooked, is great in salads, and is seen in numerous soup dishes.
You can grow common chives by seeds very easily or you can dig up and replant your chive plants every few years to help spread the plant and to thin out your current crop.
2. Garlic Chives
Garlic Chives grow 24 inches tall and have a flat grass foliage with white-star flowers growing at the top that bloom in late summer.
This type of chive has garlic and onion-like flavor and is used in Asian dishes, stir-fry, and with meat.
Garlic chives grow incredibly easy, are perfect for beginners, and can spread and seed quickly.
3. Siberian Chive
Giant Siberian Chives are almost identical to common chives except they are taller and their purple flower is almost 2 inches in diameter and bloom in late summer.
This type of garlic is said to have the richest flavor of all chives and it resembles an onion-garlic mix. Not only this, but this type of chive has a sap that can be used to deter moths, mosquitoes, and other insects.
Like common chives, Giant Siberian Chives are easy to grow, can quickly overtake a garden, and should be separated every couple of years.
Purchase the BEST Garden Supplies (Tips #2-5)
2. Purchase the Right Seed
When learning how to grow chives from seed the seed itself is the most important supply.
While vegetables typically have numerous types of seeds like organic, heirloom, GMO, etc. chives plants typically grow from your traditional seed or organic.
Whether you purchase organic seeds or traditional seeds you will have the same results. There is no benefit to your health and your harvest will be no different.
What is important is where you purchase your chives seeds from.
If you want seeds that come from reputable companies at a reasonable price and with quick delivery then you want to purchase them from Amazon.
3. Buy 2 Types of Containers
Once you purchase your seeds you will need at least 1 type of pot to start your chives and two types of pots if you want to garden all year.
I typically don’t recommend planting your seeds directly into the soil because disease, pests, and mother nature will damage or destroy too many of them.
Instead, I recommend starting off your seed in 3-inch pots. My suggestion is GrowKo Peat Pots.
Next, you’ll want a much larger pot if you do not plan on transplanting your chives into a garden.
The reason for this is that 3 inch pots are great for seeds and starting small plants, but cannot sustain the root growth needed for chives leaf growth.
I recommend: Viagrow 5 Gallon Nursery Pot
4. Buy These Garden Tools!
While containers and seeds are the only two essential tools you need when learning how to grow chives from seed there are other garden tools that will make your life easy.
Of the most basic, but handiest garden supplies to have is a good sprayer.
You want to use a good sprayer because hoses and cups will flood your seed rendering it useless.
I recommend Tolco Spray Bottle 8 oz.
In addition, it is also great to have good garden utensils to help minimize dirt and disorganization.
If you want one of the best gardening tool sets then I recommend Vremi 9 piece tool set.
And finally, you can’t grow chives seeds inside without a good grow light. If you have access to a warm sunny area for at least 8 hours a day you won’t need a grow light.
Most of us don’t have access to that much sunlight during the winter. And sometimes even if we do a grow light is just more effective for the best results.
I specifically recommend Hydrofarm Grow Light
5. Buy Soil & Fertilizer
Just because you have the best seeds and a pot to start your chives doesn’t mean you’ll have success.
You want to make sure you have the correct soil and good fertilizer.
If you do not have the proper soil your seed will not fully grow and bare leaves. And while you can survive without fertilizer, a good mixture will help you get the most out of your chives plant.
While there are lots of soil you can buy, we will want to focus on the only one you need, potting mix.
Very simply, this soil will contain the right mixture of soil, sand, and nutrients needed for your Chives seeds to grow healthy.
I am highly recommending: Miracle-Gro Potting Mix.
I am recommending this type of soil for a couple of reasons.
Everything you need to start seeds and provide your chives with the correct nutrients can be found in this soil.
And if you decide you want to transplant your chives plant to another pot you will not need to purchase a different type of soil.
In addition, you want to make sure you have a good fertilizer to help your chives grow as large and fruitful as possible.
I use and recommend Miracle-Gro Plant Food.
Why I like this type of fertilizer is that it provides everything your chives plant needs. And you won’t have to worry about the type of mixture to use or how to use it.
Best of all is that this type of fertilizer can be used on all your vegetable and herb plants!
How to Start Seeds Indoors (Tip #6)
When learning how to grow chives from seed you should almost always start your process indoors.
Step 1
You will want to start your chives seeds inside approximately 8-10 weeks before you plan on moving your chives into your garden or moving your larger container.
You want to first start by filling your 3 inches pot 80% full with your potting mix.
Next, you will want to spray the soil immediately after 5-10 times. You want the soil to be damp, but not soaked. You will know the soil is damp when it turns a dark brown color.
Step 2
Next, use the tip of a pencil and make a circular motion to form a tiny hole. This will be approximately 1/8 inch deep.
Then place 2 to 3 seeds into the hole and brush the soil over the seeds.
You will then spray the soil again 5 to 8 times. Moisten, but do not dampen the soil.
Step 3
After planting your seeds place your pots in direct sunlight or under your grow light. Your seeds will need approximately 8 hours of sunlight.
If you put your seeds under the grow light keep it approximately 4 inches from the bulb. Anything closer will burn the seeds. Anything further away with not provides enough heat and light.
You will also need to make sure the room temperature is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
If the air temperature does not stay around this temperature then your seeds will not germinate or pop through the soil.
If you don’t have an area that will stay consistently around 70 degrees, I would recommend investing in a Plant Heating Mat.
A Plant Heating Mat is the perfect way to keep your pots and seeds at a consistent temperature that we may not otherwise be able to. The best part about a heat mat is you just plug it in and you are all set.
Step 4
After your initial planting, you will need to spray the soil once to twice a day. You will know it’s time to spray if the soil looks a light brown color or feels dry to the touch.
It will take approximately 10-14 days for your seeds to germinate or pop through the soil.
Do not worry if it takes a few days later as each growing situation is different.
Step 5
Continue spraying your chives (as referred to step 4) over the next 4-8 weeks.
Once your chives reach 3 inches tall you will either want to move them into your larger containers or move them outside.
If you move your chives plants into a larger container you can continue to water them twice a day until they are ready to be harvested.
You should only move your chives plants outside if the temperature is above freezing.
While chives plants are cold hardy plants, consistent frost will kill them.
You can view your hardy zone below to determine your first and last frost date of the year.
When transplanting your chives plant into a garden you will want to dig a hole that is the size of your chives plant root ball (where the roots meet the soil). Next, cover it with soil and water it for 30 seconds.
It should also be noted that you will not need to thin your chives plant like you would with vegetables or herbs. Typically, 2-3 chives plants can grow in one pot without any problems. This will also give you the fullest harvest.
If you learn better watching a video then I recommend watching the below youtube tutorial:
How to Care for Chives (Tip #7)
Chives are incredibly easy to care for, which makes them perfect for beginners.
Below are tips for caring for your Chives throughout the summer:
- Healthy Soil & Fertilizer – Inspect your soil for fungus, pests, and weeds before you plant and throughout the summer. Remove as needed.
- Water. Keep your soil moist to the touch. This may require watering your chives 2-3 times a week.
- Separate: After several years, your chives may become cluster and this can stunt growth. Every two years, remove or separate your chives to allow more chives to absorb more nutrients.
How to Harvest Chives (Tip #8)
For every chives plant on this list, you can begin harvesting the leaves 90 to 180 days after your chives seeds pop through the soil.
Below are critical tips to remember when harvesting chives:
- Harvest your chive by cutting them at the base of the plant when you need them.
- The more you harvest your chives the more they will grow back and faster!
- After you harvest your chives leaves you will want to wash them, place them in a plastic bag, and store them in your fridge.
How to Store Chives (Tip #9)
There is nothing better than fresh chives. And the best part is that you can harvest your chives only when needing it, giving you the freshest chives!
But what happens if you have too many chives or can’t use them within 24 hours?
How do you store it?
If you want to use your chives leaves in the future (1 week or longer after harvesting) then you can repeat the same process as above and store them in your freezer.
When storing chives leaves in your freezer than please use them within 6 months for the best taste.
BEST Chives Use Ideas (Tip #10)
So planting, caring, and harvesting chives plants is fun, but using chives is the best part!
Below, are a few of the uses of chives that are both easy and most enjoyable:
- Health: If you are interested in learning more about health remedies that chives can be used for, I highly recommend reviewing WebMD
- Food: There are so many different uses, but if you want to learn my favorite ways to use fresh chives then check out: Recipes
Conclusion
After reading this article you should now have a much better idea on How to Grow Chives from seeds and how to have the greatest chance for success.
If you want to have the most success, I recommend these 10 SIMPLE Tips:
- Use one of the 3 recommended types of Chives for the best chance of success
- Buy the Correct Seeds. Organic or traditional doesn’t matter as much as where you purchase them from
- Buy two different types of containers to help allow your chives to grow to its fullest potential
- Garden tools aren’t essential, but they will make gardening easier!
- The correct soil and fertilizer can turn your chives from good to great
- There are only 5 simple steps for starting your seed in a pot and this should take less than 15 minutes
- Proper care for your chives will allow you to get the most harvest
- Harvesting chives are easy. Just cut them at the base.
- Chives should be used immediately. If not, properly freeze for future use.
- There are many great uses for chives. Don’t be afraid to try different recipes
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