Do you want to know about the best ways that help with growing chives? If so, then read this article till the end, as we have covered it all.
Loaded with therapeutic properties, Chives are perennials that come from the onion family. It is filled with essential vitamins like vitamins A and C and is also rich in both choline and folate, which are ideal for improving memory functions.
Chives also make a great companion plant as their blossoms attract pollinators and other beneficial garden insects while also keeping pests in check.
With all these perks of chives, let’s take a look at how you can grow them in your home garden in a hassle-free manner.
Things Required to Grow Chives
When growing chives in your garden, you must consider having the essentials handy. This includes the growing conditions along with the accessories and equipment as below:
Sun: Full sun
Water: Moist conditions required
Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral
Bloom time: Summer
Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9
Spacing: 30 cm
Height: 40 cm
Spread: 30 cm
Others: Herb growing accessories, pots, fertilizers, etc.
Soil Requirements for Chives
Chives are one of the easiest herbs to grow and are quite popular for being a border plant. It usually prefers to grow in rich, moist, and fertile soil that’s well-drained. The pH, as mentioned earlier, should be maintained at slightly acidic to neutral. You can choose soil at a pH range of 6 to 7. Make sure the soil is tested for pH and has adequate organic matter to thrive well.
It’s also recommended to add slow-releasing fertilizer or aged compost to the soil to ensure its even better growth.
How to Grow Chives?
Now that you know about the necessary conditions for chives let’s learn how you can grow them in different ways. Here we have mentioned the chive-growing process from seeds, cuttings, and pots.
Growing Chives from Seeds/Cuttings
To grow chives from seeds, you need to sow seeds about a cm or half an inch of the soil mix. Ensure that the soil is moist and between the temperatures of 60 to 70 degrees. If you want to transplant the seedling, make sure to wait for about 6 to 4 weeks until the frost has passed.
Alternatively, you can also plant the seeds directly into the garden when the soil surface is relatively warm. Simply maintain a space of 4 to 15 inches (row-wise), and you are good to go!
Likewise, if you want to grow chives from cuttings, find a space with good sunlight and drainage. Dig a hole twice as size of the cuttings and fertilize the soil with compost manure or any fertilizer. Next, place the cuttings inside the hole and cover it with soil. Water the plant for about two or three weeks to ensure good growth.
Growing Chives in Pots
To grow chives in pots, start by looking for a pot that measures about 8 inches in width and depth. Note that you can grow about 5-6 young chive plants in a pot. If the pot seems overcrowded at any time, make sure to split them instantly.
Once you have chosen the pot, take your chive seeds and sow them inside the soil mix of the pot. Start by planting a few seeds and make sure to water them regularly.
Growing Chives Indoors and Outdoors
When growing chives outdoors through chives seedlings, start the process in a garden bed. Plant the chives in full sun with adequate moisture. Although they can tolerate light shade, it’s best to keep them in a place that has access to light all day long.
Meanwhile, if you are growing chives in the indoor herb garden, keep them in an area with bright and indirect light. It’s best not to keep the plant in direct sunlight indoors as it can cause burning.
Try to be mindful of watering and maintain good drainage. It’s best to avoid soggy soil as it can rot the roots of the chives. You must water the soil when you see the surface is about to dry out.
How to Maintain Chives?
A good chive plant requires adequate maintenance to thrive long-term. So, once you are done with the plantation, follow the below steps to maintain chives:
- Despite being drought tolerant, make sure to water the plant throughout the growing season, as it promises high yields.
- Add nitrogen-heavy fertilizer during late spring or early summer, especially if the soil lacks nutrients.
- Remove the flowers after the blooming season, so they don’t spread all over the garden.
- Sometimes intense summer heat can cause dormancy in the chives, so stay assured of the same.
That’s it. Hopefully, now you know the process of growing chives at your home. Try it out and give your garden an aesthetic and helpful plant with this one!
