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Growing Chives, also Garden chives

(Allium schoenoprasum)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    S P P   S P P      

(Best months for planting Chives in USA - Zone 5a regions)

S = Plant undercover in seed trays. P = Plant direct in garden where they are to grow.


  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 2 inches apart
  • Harvest in 7-11 weeks.
  • Compatible with: Carrots, Tomatoes, Parsley, Apples
  • Chive flowers (foreground)

Your comments and tips

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14 Jan 12, (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Narelle, perhaps your seed aren't viable, or your seeds are drying out too fast, or are too moist? I have germinated heaps of chives here in Adelaide merely by putting them into good quality seed raising mix and then into a mini hothouse (the type you get from bunnings) , then keeping the topsoil moist with daily sprays from a water spray gun. You have to be patient though, they take a little while to come up initially!!! Good luck :)
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17 Jan 12, amanda (Australia - temperate climate)
my chives are 2 years old and healthy, however this past winter they went a bit dormant and still have not had a growth spurt you would expect with the warm/hot weather. they are in beds, i water daily, and use seasol. i also just put powerfeed pellets in the bed last week. how do i get my chives to perk up and be robust?
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09 Mar 12, Nina (Australia - temperate climate)
My chives are growing but now covered by tiny blackflea-like creatures. Any clues as to what they are, and how to get rid of them?
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21 Mar 12, (Australia - temperate climate)
They are just aphids. Try spraying with soapy water hen hose them off. Good luck =)
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11 May 12, Kharnifex (Australia - temperate climate)
Chives took 6 months to germinate in my garden bed, they take an extremely long amount of time, once established, they keep going and going
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26 Apr 13, Katieee (Australia - temperate climate)
Do chives use a lot of water?
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04 Nov 12, (USA - Zone 5b climate)
How far do you cut the flowers on the chives.
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Post a question, comment or tip about Chives

when you harvest chives to eat do you pull the bulb out or jus t ,cut the leaves thanks.

- s craddock


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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.

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