Chives are one of the first herbs to pop up in the garden. We should all learn how to grow chives because they are not only lovely but need very little maintenance and are very versatile in the garden and the kitchen. 
My Chives are in full bloom and I have a lot of them. Why? Because I am always late to cut off the spent flower head back that contain all the seeds. Once the heads start to dry out the seeds drop and it takes very little for a Chive to reseed. Never one to throw away a free plant, I usually give a gentle side to side yank and pop up the newbie 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 (as long as they get 6 hours of direct sun) 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 other herbs and look great growing with perennials.
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 talented 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.
I love to eat chives as it helps me to improve my immunity. It is a good source of natural food.
I’ve got lots of chives and have never seen it bloom. I’ll have to check out the garlic chive.
Hi!
I am growing chives indoors and having a little issue. They were doing well at first, but now they’re all droopy. I live in an apartment so I don’t have an option to put them outside. Am I over watering? Under watering? Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Bre
Breana, My first guess would be that they are not getting enough light. If they are not already can you place them near a south facing window as close as possible? Only water your chives when the soil is dry to the touch, too much or too little could cause them to wilt as well. My only other suggestion is try a water soluble fertilizer and use it at half strength, but only use this once to see if it helps and if it does continue to apply once or twice a month only. Hope this helps!
Ooooooh, I have to plant some now. What a great article. And the flowers are soooo lovely. Thank you!
Your welcome Judy, thanks for commenting and stopping by.
fill a small bottle with a good vinegar, add 5 or 6 chive-blossoms to it and keep it on a Sunny place for a week. shake daily. Then put the bottle in a dark place for about 6 weeks. Filter out the blossoms and you have a great chive-vinegar for salads and such. It smells even nicer than the chive itself.
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.
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!
I never knew chives had blooms! what a lovely photo!
Thanks, they are always a beautiful addition to the garden!