In winter, the leaves die and the spheres that are in the ground survive. In spring, new green sprites are then formed again. By the way, the plant is also beautiful to look at and in May it blooms beautifully; with purple-pink, bulbous flowers.
Growing chives
Chives are excellent for growing in pots. Sow from March and after about 7 weeks the small plants should then be transplanted to larger pots. From April, when no real frost is expected, you can also sow in the garden. Keep about 30 centimeters between each clump (i.e. a number of seeds). Choose a sunny or semi-shaded spot. Provide a humus-rich soil that contains sufficient lime and retains moisture.
By the way, you can also sow in pots in the summer and let these plants overwinter inside or in the greenhouse. You can then harvest sprigs of chives, of course.
Care
Keep a close eye that the soil does not dry out. Chives like moist soil. If necessary, you can also fertilize. This is especially desirable after you harvest a bulb in its entirety. Chives are susceptible to rust; the formation of brownish spots on the leaves. But with a sunny and airy location, you reduce the chance of infection considerably. If your plant does become infected, cut off the entire bulb just above the ground.
Harvesting
In the first year, you can harvest chives in late summer. The second year, you can do it as early as April. Cut or trim the foliage just above the ground. Then new leaves will form. With a mature plant you can harvest as many as four times a year, or just cut off the amount you need each time.
Chives are not very suitable for drying. You can cut and dry the sprigs finely, but it gives better results if you freeze it.
Main points:
- Sow in pots in March, in open ground in April
- Location: sunny/semi shade
- Water regularly; chives like moist soil
- Harvesting: throughout the season you can cut stalks. Furthermore, you can harvest the whole cluster at once in August (first year) and in the second year from April and then about three more times during the season.
