Herbs > Garlic Chives Herb

Information on, uses of and how to grow garlic chives:

Name
Allium schoenoprasum.

Family
Lilaceae.

History
One type of chive was originally cultivated in China and was probably used throughout Asia.

Growing pattern
Annual.

Seeds
Buy Garlic Chives Seeds (Organic and Non-Organic) from The Green Chronicle (Pay in £, $US, Euro).
Herbs, Seasonings, Seeds and Spices - Buy Chive Rings from Mountain Rose Herbs ($US).

How to grow
Chives are grown from seed. It needs to be re-sown every 2-3 years as the flavour tends to diminish. Sow in shallow drills at the beginning of March. Thin the seedlings to 30cm apart. Chives can be grown in a container. In spring or autumn the clumps can be divided and the flowers should always be cut off to maintain flavour for as long as possible.

Soil condition/position
Moist, rich soil. Can be put in pots during the autumn and be brought indoors to provide a winter supply.

Appearance
Chives grow to 30cm in height and have thin grass like leaves which grow from clumps of tiny bulbs. The flowers are small, round and pale mauve in colour.

Uses
Chives are good in omelettes, scrambled eggs and in all sorts of salads. They can be chopped up very finely and sprinkled over cooked new potatoes.