Adding Flavor with an Herb Garden: Chives

Published by Homesteading Hen on

Adding Flavor with an Herb Garden: Chives By Heritage River, Heritage River LLC, Heritage-River.com

This week I would like to introduce you to the littlest members of the onion family: Chives. Chives grow in grass-like clumps and are normally always referred to in the plural. Chives are not only the smallest member of the onion family, but they are also the only species of Allium native to both the Old and New Worlds! Native to North America, Asia, and Europe, it became actively cultivated in Europe as a food during the Middle Ages.

Adding Flavor with an Herb Garden: Chives By Heritage River, Heritage River LLC, Heritage-River.com

Although small Chives can do big things. Chives naturally repel aphids so they are great companion for roses. When planted in the orchard, they are said to help defend Apple trees from Apple Scab. They also improve both the flavor, and growth, of carrots if planted together.

Adding Flavor with an Herb Garden: Chives By Heritage River, Heritage River LLC, Heritage-River.com

I find Chives to have a much more mild complex flavor than green onions. They offer a delicate mild onion flavor complemented with hints of garlic.  Their culinary uses are endless, ranging from scrambled eggs, cheddar and Chive biscuits, salads, sour cream and Chive mashed potatoes, fully loaded baked potatoes, potato salad, dressings, oils, herb butters, or even as a garnish! But don’t stop there!  Chives come in many varieties and flavor profiles: Common Chives, Siberian Garlic Chives, Giant Siberian Chives, and Garlic Chives, all of which I have grown in my garden.

Adding Flavor with an Herb Garden: Chives By Heritage River, Heritage River LLC, Heritage-River.com

Garlic Chives (Notice their flat leaves.)

Chives are a perennial herb in USDA zones 3-10 and one of the easiest herbs to grow! They tend to like a PH range of 6-7. Mature plant size varies by varieties reaching from 10-24 inches, with Giant Siberian Chives coming in around 3 feet when flowering. The grass-like leaves can be harvested when plants reach 6 inches in height. Harvest with a pair of kitchen scissors and give the chives a trim or even full haircut.  Leave the bottom two inches of the leaves on the plant, as this promotes a healthy plant and encourages new growth. If you want lots of leave growth, pinch off the flower buds. Alternately, you can allow Chives to flower and use the globe style blooms. They are edible and make an attractive garnish on meat dishes or a striking addition to soups and salads. Chives flower in June and July. The blooms come in an array of white, pink, and purple, depending on variety.

Adding Flavor with an Herb Garden: Chives By Heritage River, Heritage River LLC, Heritage-River.com

Common Chives (Common Chives have round hollow straw like leaves.)

Chives prefer full sun and a rich, well drained soil, but will tolerate partial shade and poor soil conditions. It grows equally well in either the garden or patio container. They can be either directly seeded, or for a jump-start, planted indoors 8-10 weeks before your last frost date. Have a friend already growing Chives in their garden?  If flowers are allowed to seed out chives will multiply. The mature plants can be divided and transplanted and then shared with friends every 3-4 years. If left unattended, Chives produces huge clumps that turn into rings as the centers die out.

Adding Flavor with an Herb Garden: Chives By Heritage River, Heritage River LLC, Heritage-River.com

Unlike most little ones, Chives take little attention. ;-)These hardy plants are well mannered and persistent.  And certainly won’t keep you up all night! So why not give them a try!

En route to a more flavorful life, the Homesteading Hen


12 Comments

travelandhikewithpcos · May 27, 2019 at 20:28

Interesting facts about chives. I learned a lot reading this. From growing , gardening and making use it in cooking dish. I would love to grow chive when I have my own little garden and home. Thank you for sharing.
Heena.
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    Homesteading Hen · May 28, 2019 at 22:02

    I tried to jam it all in there, and cover everything on the topic. 🙂 You will find them a great beginner herb to start with needing very little tending. Best wishes on the little garden and home, when life heads you down that path in-between your many adventures!

Madi Rowan · May 28, 2019 at 06:45

A dish with chives really does sound delicious! I have to be honestly though, I can’t say I use chives that often!

-Madi xo | http://www.everydaywithmadirae.com

    Homesteading Hen · May 28, 2019 at 21:56

    Always no time like the present to expand your culinary palate. My sister does not use them much either and honestly I go in swings depending on my mood. 🙂 But with them being pretty much hassle free and not taking much space, their well worth having on hand in the kitchen garden.

jus · May 28, 2019 at 07:29

that’s the first time I saw them growing like that. some how they resemble grass, ours look different just not so clustered.

    Homesteading Hen · May 28, 2019 at 21:47

    The clump ones pictured, are Garlic Chives and have more of a tendency to look like grass. You most likely have Common Chives. They don’t have as much of a tight growth habit, and have the more well known round hollow leaves. Garlic Chives tend to cluster a little closer too, though that also can be due to the health and age of the plant.

tcleland88 · May 28, 2019 at 11:20

I had no idea that you could eat chive blooms! I love chives because they are easy to grow; plus, you can chop them and dry or freeze them to use during the winter.

    Homesteading Hen · May 28, 2019 at 21:40

    They are a fantastic little herb for sure! I love to use the blooms in soups and salads, they are awesome in not only in bringing flavor but adding that unique pop of color as well.

Loren · May 28, 2019 at 15:04

I did not know that chives could repel aphids!! Great info!

    Homesteading Hen · May 28, 2019 at 21:35

    Anything to naturally get rid of pest without disrupting the natural balance of things, is awesome in my book! Aphids can certainly be a real pest at times.

Jubilee Meyer · June 6, 2019 at 18:24

I love learning more about them! I’ve always really liked chives!

    Homesteading Hen · June 11, 2019 at 16:46

    I’m glad you enjoyed the read, and had fun learning more about chives with us.

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