Agriculture and Natural Resources FSA Home Gardening Series Chives Craig R - PDF document

EnvironmentFertility– 5.8 to 7.0Temperature– divide or direct seedHardinessFertilizerSince chives grow wild in Italy andGreece, it is certain that the specieswas known by the ancient Romansand Greeks. Chives are native to bothAsia and Europe and were used inChina over 5,000 years ago.plants that belong to theonion family. They are grown throughout most ofNorth America. The small,bulbous plants grow in clumps 8 to 12 inches high. Theirappear in May. Garlic chiveshave flatter leaves and white flowersthat also appear in May.Cultural Practicesby dividing the clumps, keeping fourto sixbulblets per clump. They areplanted in the same manner as oniontransplants. Divide the clumps in thefall or early spring. It is necessary todivide clumps every year to preventovercrowding. Chives may also bestarted with seeds planted in theThe tender leaves or the entireplant may be harvested wheneverare not used. Some gardeners dry theleaves; others chop them up fresh andkeep them in the freezer for winteruse. Many gardeners dig a clump ofchives in late January, place them in apot and bring them in the house forfresh use during the winter.Chinese chives resemble commonchives in clump-growth habit but haveflat, powdery gray leaves and whiteflowers. The leaf portion of Chinese Home Gardening Series University of Arkansas, United States Department of Agriculture, and County Governments Cooperating Arkansas IsOur Campus Visit our web site at:http://www.uaex.edu FSA6082 Agriculture and Natural Resources Craig R. AndersenAssociate Professor andVegetables Frequently Asked QuestionsQ.What are chives?A. Chives are a hardy relative of the onion. Theyproduce numerous thin, hollow leaves 6 to10inches long. In late spring or early summer,they bloom with lavender blossoms. Chivesareclassed as perennials, but they are notevergreen perennials. Q.When planting chives, do I use seeds orA.Either. If you plant clumps or plants, you canstart harvesting within two months. Startingfrom seed takes about 90 days before first harvest.Q.Do chives require any special care forA.Constant harvesting of the leaves is essential tokeep a healthy, vigorous plant. Every year, digand divide the clumps and plant them in anotherpart of the garden. They are easily grown ingardens and do exceptionally well in pots or inCultivars Crop Cultivar Days to Seed Perof Row Remarks Chives Common Chives 80 1/4 oz Grass-like herb with mild onion flavor. Excellent to growindoors over winter. Garlic Chives 80 1/4 oz Broader leaved than common chive, mild flavor between garlicand onion. Also known as Chinese leeks. Curly Chives 55 1/4 oz Large, pink flowers; flat, curled and twisted leaves. Great forthe rock garden. DR. CRAIG R. ANDERSEN is associate professor and Extensionspecialist - vegetables, Horticulture Department, University ofArkansas Division of Agriculture, Fayetteville.FSA6082-PD-4-11RV Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May8andJune 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture,Director, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas. TheArkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligiblepersons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age,disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected statusand is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Printed by University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Printing Services. Agriculture and Natural Resources FSA6082 Home Gardening Series Chives Craig R. Andersen Associate Professor and Vegetables Arkansas Is Our Campus Visit our web site at: http://www.uaex.edu Environment Fertility Temperature Hardiness Fertilizer North America. The small, appear in May. Garlic chives that also appear in May. Cultural Practices The plants are usually propagated by dividing the clumps, keeping four to six bulblets per clump. They are chives in late January, place them in a fresh use during the winter. University of Arkansas, United States Department of Agriculture, and County Governments Cooperating Cultivars Crop Cultivar Days to Seed Per Chives Common Chives Grass-like herb with mild onion flavor. Excellent to grow ver winter. Garlic Chives Broader leaved than common chive, mild flavor between garlic Also known as Chinese leeks. Curly Chives Large, pink flowers; flat, curled and twisted leaves. Great for Frequently Asked Questions Q. Do chives require any special care for A. Constant harvesting of the leaves is essential to A.  Chives are a hardy relative of the onion. They keep a healthy, vigorous plant. Every year, dig produce numerous thin, hollow leaves 6 to and divide the clumps and plant them in another 10 inches long. In late spring or early summer, part of the garden. They are easily grown in they bloom with lavender blossoms. Chives gardens and do exceptionally well in pots or in are classed as perennials, but they are not other containers. evergreen perennials. Either. If you plant clumps or plants, you can Printed by University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Printing Services. DR. CRAIG R. ANDERSEN Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and specialist - vegetables, Horticulture Department, University of June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Fayetteville. Director, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas. The persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status FSA6082-PD-4-11RV and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.