Growing Chives, also Garden chives

Allium schoenoprasum : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
P P P P           P P P

(Best months for growing Chives in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 5 cm apart
  • Harvest in 7-11 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Carrots, Tomatoes, Parsley, Apples

Your comments and tips

13 Jun 16, Kobus (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
can I make money with chives from my home garden?
02 Mar 15, Kate a (Australia - temperate climate)
I've planted a herb garden about three months ago and everything is going well except my chives! They're yellow at the tips and keep dying every time there is new growth
19 Oct 14, Peter Mackenzie (Australia - tropical climate)
Mandee try an area that has full sun (at least 6 hours) and use a premium potting mix for vegies and herbs, a good soil improver mix, and a few handfulls of dolomite. Water gently and heavily early in the morning on tue.,thurs., and sat. & after afternoon tea time on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. And give it some fish emulsion, & seaweed mix on planting and once a fortnight . Try that.
05 Feb 14, Pollyanna holmes (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
What do you mean by medicinal edible salts as far as chives goes.do you have to dry them with salt or suchlike many thanks
21 Dec 13, Derek Mallon (Australia - temperate climate)
I just went to harvest some seeds from our chives and began separating the seeds from the dead flowers. I had to stop because some of the seeds started jumping around the bench. I finally discovered that these seeds were fleas. My question is, are fleas a pest for chives. And why would fleas be attracted to chives.
11 Oct 13, (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi there I live in perth and have had no luck in growing chives in pots, I have tried chook poo and no chook poo, sunny and part sunny spots, but the chives just die or don.t grow at all. I seem to grow everything else. What am I doing wrong. Thanks mandee
27 Oct 13, Ferran (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
check the soil they like it nice and light with slight moisture not too wet, doesn't need to be too nutritious. If you are buying them from the super market i find they don't do too well. Try a garden store, if you by them from a garden store they will often be very willing to give advice. Time of year can also be affecting them. Rather than using chook poo which can be a bit strong try worm wee or a small amount of worm "tea" dug around the roots. Also make sure they have enough space. Good luck! - Ferran
31 Aug 13, Narelle stirey (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Like all bulbs they appreciate room, so divide your clumps regularly. Also they like a sandy but humus rich premium soil so consider that and give them side dressings of manure and pick flowers. I cut mine off at the base and sell/use both flowers and leaves to make medicinal , edible salts.
02 Aug 13, Alan (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
My Chives are not growing well at all. they get part sun and are well drained. they have no tops. can you give a hint
04 Nov 12, (USA - Zone 5b climate)
How far do you cut the flowers on the chives.
Showing 21 - 30 of 48 comments

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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