Herb – Chives (Perennial) – Allium schoenoparsum

Description

Chives have a mild onion flavour in both the leaves and the edible flowers. It is one of the most popular herbs both in the kitchen and garden. This herb grows pretty pink to purple flower heads which are great in a herb garden or used as a edging plant. Perfect for pollinators. Cut leaves about 2cm from ground level. It grows to a height of about 25cm (10″) and spreads around 20cm. Chive can be added to salads, cooked dishes or potato salads to add a mild onion flavoured edge.

Perennial herb
Height: 20 – 30cm (8-12 inches)
Pack size: 300 Seeds

Additional Details

When to Sow Chive Seeds
All year round on a windowsill March to May outdoors.

Where to Sow
Sow seeds 0.5cm (¼”) deep, in small pots of compost , lightly covering the seed with a sprinkling of compost. Water well and place at a temperature of 15-20°C. Alternatively sow outdoors March-May where they are to crop, 0.5cm (¼”) deep, directly into finely-prepared soil. Chives prefer a fertile soil with some moisture but will grow well in dry conditions too, including gravel and rock gardens. Position in full sun.

What to do Next
Grow a few plants on a light windowsill for easy kitchen use. If transplanting outside gradually harden off in a coldframe before planting out 20cm (8″) apart once all risk of frost has past . Seeds sown direct outside should be thinned out to 15-20cm (6-8in) apart.

Harvest
All year round, once 15cm (6″) tall, picking a few leaves from each plant so they regrow quickly. Do not cut lower than 5cm above the soil

Handy tip
Young plants can be sown and grown on a windowsill all year round, or you could lift and pot up a small clump in the autumn and place on the windowsill for fresh herbs throughout the winter months.

Nutritional Values
Surprisingly, chives contain more Vitamin a than any other member of the allium family. They also contain Vitamin C and K.