These are cut-and-come-again plants that produce throughout the growing season and even over winter months in warmer climates.
Taller leaves are thicker at the base, where flavor is concentrated.
Plants started from seed take about 60 days to reach maturity, depending on the climate.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Purchased plants are ready to harvest 30 days after transplanting into the garden.
First-year plants do well when cut back three or four times throughout the season.
As clump size increases with every year, you’ll be able to harvest more often as needed.
All herbs are freshest and retain their best flavor when harvested in the morning after dew has dried.
Chives are well-suited to container growingand thrive indoors, set in a sunny windowsill.
In cold climates where garden-grown chives die back naturally in winter,indoor potted plants provide a year-round harvest.
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How to Harvest Chives
Use a sharp, sterile snipper or scissors to harvest chives.
When done properly, plants will regrow new leaves for future harvests.
If you pull them, you’ll see a small green onion-like bulb with roots.
Pulled plants won’t regrow, however, this is a practical way to thin out overgrown clumps.
Chive flowers are edible
Chive flowers are white and shades of pink and purple.
Theseedible flowersmake pretty garnishes on salads and other savory dishes and are used to make flavored vinegars.
To harvest flowers, remove the entire stem at the base.
How to Store Chives
Chives are an herb best used fresh and lose potency when dried.
Flash freezing is one way to preserve flavor for longer storage.
Wash and dry leaves, then cut into small pieces with your scissors or snippers.
Place pieces on a clean baking sheet and freeze for one to two hours.
Put pieces in plastic bags and return to your freezer.
Once ice freezes, remove cubes and place them in plastic bags in the freezer for more convenient storage.
Frozen chives, using either method, retain quality and flavor for four to six months.
If kept longer, they can still be eaten but won’t be as flavorful.
Flowers are edible and attract beneficial insects.
Chive seeds are fairly large and easy to identify.
Remove the entire flower stem at the base.
