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Chives
Chives
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(Unranked): Angiosperms
(Unranked): Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Alliaceae
Genus: Allium
Species: Allium schoenoprasum
Plant Data
Min germination temp: 15°C (59°F)
Max germination temp: 20°C (68°F)
Germination time: 11 days
Time to transplanting: +73 days
Time to harvesting: +303 days
Mature height: 25cm (10in)
Mature spread: 15cm (6in)
Ideal pH range: 5.2 - 8.3
Sow depth: ½cm (¼in)
Sow spacing: 2.5cm (1in)
Growing plant spacing: 30cm (12in)
Growing row spacing: 30cm (12in)
References: [1][2]
Hardiness Zones
Ideal Hardiness Zones
· · · 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 · · ·

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) are the smallest species of the onion family Alliaceae[3], native to Europe, Asia and North America.[4] Allium schoenoprasum is also the only species of Allium native to both the New and the Old World and is a perennial.

Culinary uses for chives involve shredding its leaves (straws) for use as condiment for fish, potatoes and soups. It also has insect-repelling properties which can be used in gardens to control pests.[5]

Planner[]

J F M A M J J A S O N D
Sow (indoors)
Sow (outdoors)
Harvest (1st year)
Harvest (following years)

[6][7]

Growing[]

Location[]

Chives will grow in most garden soils in either sunny, or semi-shaded positions. They can also be grown in window boxes and pots.[2]

Sowing[]

Sow seeds in groups of 3 or 4 at 30cm (12in) spacing, ½cm (¼in) deep. Remove the weakest seedlings after germination.

Transplanting[]

Plant raised or bought seedlings into the herb bed at 30cm (12in) spacing.

Aftercare[]

Even if you don't want to divide the clumps up for your own uses, it's a good idea to divide them every 3 years and replant.[2]

Harvesting[]

Cut leaves close to the ground as required. Cut all leaves from one clump before beginning on the next.

For a winter supply, take one or two small clumps, put them into 10cm (4in) pots of potting compost and keep them on a windowsill.[2]

Troubles[]

Full troubles list: Allium troubles

References[]

  1. Chives 'Common'. myfolia. Retrieved: 2010-09-03.
  2. a b c d (1994). Food From Your Garden & Allotment. Reader's Digest Association Ltd, London. ISBN 978276443367
  3. LaFray, J. (1987). Tropic Cooking: The New Cuisine from Florida and the Islands of the Caribbean. Oakland: Ten Speed Press. pp. 292. ISBN 0898152348.
  4. Allium schoenoprasum factsheet, from Kemper center for home gardening. Retrieved: 2006-06-13
  5. Kaufman, P.B.; Carlson, T.J.; Kaufman, K.B.; Brielmann, H.L.; Warber, S.; Cseke, L.J.; Duke, J.A. (1999). Natural Products from Plants. Boca Raton: CRC Press. pp. 261. 084933134X.
  6. Ewing, B. (2008). Growing Culinary Herbs: Chives. Retrieved: 2010-09-04.
  7. Growing Chives in the UK - Harvesting. GardenAction.co.uk. Retrieved: 2010-09-04.
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