How to grow Chives

At a glance

🌱 Grow your Chives with GardenDex

• Reminders to water it, timed to your weather and whether it's in a pot
• Frost and disease alerts for your garden, the night before
• Follow it from seed to harvest, and see what your garden grew in $
• Point your camera at any plant or bug to identify it

🗓️ When to plant

Plant in mid-spring after the last frost, or start indoors 4–6 weeks before. In mild climates, plant in early autumn for winter harvests.

🌰 How to plant

1. Sow seeds directly into moist soil or start indoors in seed trays.
2. Plant seedlings or seeds 15 cm (6 in) apart at soil level.
3. Water gently after planting and keep soil moist until established.
4. Thin seedlings once they reach 5 cm (2 in) tall if overcrowded.

💧 Care

• Deadhead spent flower heads to encourage more leafy growth, or leave them for ornamental appeal and pollinator food.
• Divide established clumps every 3–4 years in early spring to rejuvenate plants.
• Apply compost or balanced fertilizer in mid-spring as growth begins.
• Mulch lightly around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

🧺 Harvest

Snip outer leaves from the base once plants reach 15 cm (6 in) tall, harvesting no more than one-third of the plant at once. Harvest regularly throughout the season to encourage bushier growth.

🐛 Common problems

Aphids: Spray with a strong water stream or use insecticidal soap if infestations are heavy.

Root rot (in waterlogged soil): Improve drainage immediately by amending soil with sand or grit, and reduce watering frequency.

Powdery mildew: Improve air circulation, avoid wetting foliage, and remove affected leaves promptly.

🤝 Companion plants

💚 Good neighbours: Tomatoes, Lettuce, Carrots, Basil

⚠️ Keep apart from: Beans, Peas

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