My Chives are in full bloom. I have a lot of them. Why, because I am always late to cut the flower head back and end up with seedling here and there plus they grow like weeds. Never one to throw away a free plant, I usually yank the newbie up and scratch a new hole to plop it into. Yes, I am that rough with them, they can take it!
Why should you grow chives, because they are fail proof! Just stick them in the sun or even part-shade and walk away. You could plant them in containers as an accent plant and when you need them in your recipe walk out with a pair of scissors and snip-snip. They also grow well with others.
I even go out in the winter and will snip up a few if they are needed in a recipe.
You will have to divide the little buggers every couple of years because they will be prospering all over the place! They say once you plant chives, you will always have chives. Another great reason to grow them, they will make you think of yourself as an amazing gardener! (I know you are, but everyone needs encouragement).
Start plants from seed, purchase a plant or two, or dig up part of a clump from a neighbor’s garden (I am sure they will be happy to share). If seeding, plant in mid-to-late spring. Sow in clusters 1 to 1-1/2 feet apart.
Finally the healthy benefits of adding chives to your diet, the antioxidant compounds present in chives may help boost immunity and protect you from chronic conditions such as heart disease and cancer. Chives go well with potatoes, fish and eggs, and make a flavorful seasoning for homemade salad dressings and dips. Try chives as an alternative to parsley, and reap the benefits of its nutrients.
Hunted Chives
Hidden deep in the house in which I reside,
Bagels bombs with cream cheese glaze I hide,
Tucked away in the recesses of my abode,
To gibber incessantly with gunpowder peppercorn goad,
Echoing footsteps approach, each clunk resonating fear,
Pulling back into umbrage with Philadelphia smear,
With ticking time-bomb a ripe and ready red tomato,
Swaying in my hand as if upholding a melancholic legato,
Until I am found, just when time is announced as up,
My hand squeezing as the taceted tick-tock, blows up,
The tomato’s flesh and pips are strewn and spread,
Along with Philadelphia cream across my grinning head,
Twixt with a complimentary chardonnay wine tipple,
Embracing my seeker with a volcanic red ripple.
About Amy Stafford
You can usually find me in my garden, the kitchen, at the gym or spending time with my family. I love sharing recipes, gardening tips and stories of my backyard chickens and beekeeping.
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Hi, I am Amy, and I am a confessed Food Lover, Garden Addict and Photo Junkie!
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I never knew chives had blooms! what a lovely photo!
Thanks, they are always a beautiful addition to the garden!
Ooo, you’ve inspired me! We are in the very beginning stages of planning perennial gardens in our backyard (like, we’re busy thinking about it!), and I would love to have a little field of chives mixed in there.
You can’t go wrong with chives, they are so simple to grow. Good Luck!
Beautiful photos. I planted chives from seed last year and they’re doing great, but no flowers! I wonder why.
I check in a book I have ‘The Herb Gardner’ and it really didn’t say anything about why they wouldn’t flower, the only thing I can think of is that you may have planted Garlic Chive and they do not flower but their leaves look very similar. The way to check is pull one of the small clumps up out of the ground and see if you have root system of a garlic bulb? I didn’t even know there was garlic chives. I learned something too. Let me know.
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