Mastering Chive Cultivation Inside or Outdoors, as Suggested by Pros
Emanating from the allium genus, chives (Allium schoenoprasum) are renowned for their minimalist upkeep and their edible and aesthetic characteristics. Their green stems and violet blossoms are both edible, offering a delicate onion taste that can lend flavor to a multitude of dishes. Chives can be cultivated both outdoors and indoors, boasting properties that deter pests when grown outside and serving as a suitable window sill herb for indoor gardening. In an effort to accumulate knowledge for ensuring consistent yielding of chives annually, we reached out to horticulture specialists and garnered their insights.
- Adrienne Roethling, a private estate gardener and previous garden director for Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden
- Susan Detrick, a master gardener coordinator at Penn State Extension, Monroe and Pike Counties
When to Plant Chives
Defined as a cool-season crop, chives thrive in moderately temperature climates. "Chives can be seeded in mid-spring or mid-autumn" states Adrienne Roethling, private estate gardener and former garden director for Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden. Alternatively, you may also initiate germination of seeds indoors, six to eight weeks before your region's final frost date. Once the seeds sprout and begin to grow, they can be transplanted into larger containers or planted outdoors once the risk of frost subsides.
Planting Chives Outdoors
Two methods to plant chives include seeding or employing clumps, according to Susan Detrick, master gardener coordinator at Penn State Extension, Monroe and Pike Counties. Regardless of the technique you opt for, await planting outdoors until after your region's final frost date.
- Select a site that receives six to eight hours of sunlight daily and comprises well-draining soil with a pH ranging between 6 and 7.
- Seeding method: Prepare soil by incorporating some organic matter. Pepper seeds over the soil at 1-inch intervals. Sprinkle a ¼-inch layer of soil over the seeds and gently press them into the soil.
- Clump method: Brush dirt off the bulbs before planting. Plant clumps 6 inches apart with the pointed end facing up. Cover with soil and mulch.
- Water the seeds or clumps as needed, taking care not to overwater.
Planting Chives Indoors
Chives flourish in pots, making this plant an excellent choice for an indoor herb garden. Here's how Detrick recommends planting chives in containers by employing both seeding and clump methods.
- Sanitize containers by wiping them with soapy water and soaking them in a solution comprising 1 part bleach to 9 parts water for 10 minutes, followed by thorough rinsing.
- Position a sunny indoors spot that receives six to eight hours of sunlight exposure.
- Fill a 6-inch deep container with potting soil. Inspect for drainage holes.
- Seeding method: Sprinkle seeds at 1-inch intervals over the soil. Cover the seeds with a ¼-inch layer of soil.
- Clump method: Brush dirt off the bulbs prior to planting. Crowd each clump 6 inches apart in the container with the pointed end facing up.
- Water the seeds or clumps as needed, taking care not to overwater.
Caring for Chives
Low-maintenance chives require the same care, irrespective of whether they're cultivated indoors or outdoors.
Sunlight
Chives flourish best in full sunlight and necessitate at least six to eight hours of sunlight daily to thrive. Indoors, situate them by windows facing south to maximize sunlight exposure.
Soil
These plants can adapt to several soil types, provided the soil is well-draining. Susan Detrick, master gardener coordinator at Penn State Extension, recommends soil with a pH ranging between 6 and 7. If the pH of your soil is unknown, a soil test is advisable.
Water
Chives maintain humidity well, necessitating less frequent watering compared to other plants. Adrienne Roethling, private estate gardener and former garden director for Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden, suggests checking the soil frequently and watering when the top inch feels dry to the touch.
Temperature
Known for their hardiness, chives will propagate in hardiness zones 3 to 9, states Roethling. However, these plants favor cooler environments and typically enter dormancy during summer.
Fertilizer
If your soil is rich in organic matter, no additional fertilizer is required, according to Detrick. Yet, if needed, Roethling recommends fertilizing with Bulb-tone fertilizer each year. "It's an organic product that gradually permeates the soil," she says.
Harvesting Chives
You can harvest chives once their leaves have grown long enough for eating or culinary use. Utilize sharp scissors or pruners to trim the leaves approximately 2 inches above the base of the plant as necessary. Encouraging regular harvesting fosters plant growth.
Dividing Chives
Over time, chives develop large clumps from the initial small clumps planted. To prevent overcrowding, you will need to divide these clumps every two to three years, advises Detrick. The optimal time for this is during spring. To accomplish this, meticulously dig up the chives and carefully separate the clumps into smaller sections. Each section should comprise a few bulbs and leaves. Once divided, replant the bulbs with the pointed side facing up. Space each section 6 inches apart. Cover with soil and water well.
Chives generally have a strong resistance against diseases and pests, but there are certain problems you might encounter while taking care of this plant.
Allium Leafminer
Chives share susceptibility to allium leafminer with other allium plants. The initial sign of an allium leafminer attack is a row of round holes on the leaves, which may also appear wavy, curled, or deformed, according to Detrick. The perpetrator behind this damage is the allium leafminer larvae, which thrive on these plants. For mature chive clumps, the use of row cover cloth can substantially reduce the number of leafminer eggs laid on the leaves.
Dampening Off
Dampening off is a common plant disease that takes place in soil-dwelling fungi and can lead to seedlings collapsing and decaying, as per Detrick. Adopting good hygiene practices, such as cleaning garden tools and containers, can help prevent the spread of this disease.
Black Aphids
Black aphids are a common nuisance for chives and other plants in the onion family. Roethling suggests using horticulture oil, a strong water jet spray, predatory insects like ladybugs, and manual removal to manage, but not entirely eliminate, the aphid infestation. When planting chives, consider utilizing row covers and covering them with a fine white mesh cloth during summer months.
Root Rot
Waterlogging and overwatering can lead to root rot in chives, recommends Roethling. It is essential to only water chives when the soil dries out completely and to improve drainage by incorporating compost or soil amendments. When chives are grown outside, it is best to water them in the early morning hours to ensure the leaves have ample time to dry before nightfall.
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew can be a challenge in high humidity regions, as reported by Roethling. Finding a location with good air flow and ensuring chives are not overcrowded with other leafy vegetables can help lessen the occurrence of this problem.
After gathering expert advice from horticulture specialists, such as Adrienne Roethling and Susan Detrick, it's useful to know that chives can also be added to indoor gardening collections. For instance, Martha Stewart, a renowned figure in the gardening and lifestyle world, often recommends incorporating chives into vegetable garden ideas, not just for their edible characteristics but also as a decorative element. The green stems and violet blossoms of chives can provide a pleasing contrast in both outdoor and indoor garden settings, making them an attractive addition to houseplant collections.
