Halifax Herb Chives Pkg.

Common Name: Chives

Scientific Name: Allium schoenoprasum

Life Cycle: Perennial

Description Detail: A hardy, easy-to-grow perennial herb with slender, upright foliage and a mild onion flavour. Attractive round pink to purple flower heads appear in late spring or early summer and are also edible. Chives are excellent for seasoning soups, salads, potatoes, vegetables and many other dishes.

Days to Germinate: 7–14 days

Bloom / Harvest: Harvest fresh leaves as needed once plants are established. Flowers typically appear in late spring or early summer. Cut foliage back after flowering to encourage fresh growth.

Germination Needs: Sow seeds approximately 6 mm (¼") deep in moist, well-drained soil. Germination is best when soil temperatures are around 15-20°C. Keep the seedbed consistently moist until seedlings emerge.

Lighting: Full sun to partial sun

Watering Needs: Keep soil consistently moist during germination and establishment. Once established, chives are relatively drought-tolerant but benefit from regular watering during prolonged dry periods.

Starting Instructions: Direct sow as soon as the soil is workable in spring, or start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Sow approximately 6 mm (¼") deep and thin seedlings to about 10 cm (4") apart once established. Transplant outdoors after the risk of frost has passed.

Care Instructions: Grow in moist, well-drained soil with good sunlight. Harvest foliage regularly to encourage new growth. Remove spent flowers or allow some plants to flower and self-seed if additional plants are desired. Chives can be divided every few years to rejuvenate crowded clumps.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Garden Benefits: Attractive to bees and other pollinators when flowering. Its compact growth makes it useful in herb gardens, vegetable gardens, perennial borders and containers. The edible flowers also provide ornamental interest.

Special Notes: Halifax Seed lists chives as suitable for containers, with a mature height of approximately 10-15 cm (4-6"). The seeds can be direct sown or started indoors, and the plant tolerates some shade.

Tips For Success: Keep the soil moist while seeds are germinating, provide good drainage, and harvest foliage frequently. Cut plants back after flowering to encourage fresh, tender growth. Chives can spread readily if allowed to produce and drop seed.

Companion Plants: Carrots, tomatoes, lettuce, peas, strawberries, parsley and other herbs.