How to Grow Chives From Seed
Chives are often one of the first herbs to emerge in the spring. This plant produces a clump of grass-like leaves with pom pom blooms in shades of lavender. The hollow leaves are used as seasoning to impart a mild onion flavor to soups, sauces and meat dishes. When chopped finely, chives are often used as a light garnish for baked potatoes and sour cream. Although propagation is typically performed by root division, chives can easily be started from seed in early spring. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Garden tiller
- Well-rotted manure
- Compost
- 16-16-8 fertilizer
- High nitrogen fertilizer
Instructions
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Prepare a bed for chives in an area that receives direct sunlight for six to eight hours a day. Till the soil to a depth of 8 to 10 inches. Remove roots, stones and other debris from the soil.
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Spread a 4- to 6-inch layer of well-rotted manure or compost over the planting area. Add 2 to 3 tbsp. of 16-16-8 fertilizer per square foot of area. Work the organic matter and fertilizer into the soil with a garden tiller or hand tools.
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3
Plant chive seeds to a depth of 1/4 inch spaced 4 to 6 inches apart. Cover with soil and firm down with your hands to remove air pockets around the seeds.
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Water to moisten the soil to a depth of 1 inch. Keep the soil moist until seedlings emerge. Each seed produces a cluster of chives. Reduce water to once a week, saturating the soil to the root level, once seedlings are established.
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Fertilize with high-nitrogen fertilizer in late spring and again in mid summer.
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References
Resources
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