PLANTING CHIVES:

Choose a spot in your garden that will receive full sun.

Use soil that is moist, fertile, rich, and well draining. Apply 2-3 tbsp of all purpose fertilizer per square foot of planting area. Work compost and fertilizer into the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches.

If you'd like to get a head start, start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last spring frost.

If sowing directly into the garden, make sure the soil is at least 70C in temperature.

Plant the seeds about 1/4 inch deep and plant each seed 4-6 inches apart.

CARE:

Water on a regular basis and make sure soil is moist at all times.

Apply a layer of mulch to conserve moisture.

Once the flowers bloom, be sure to remove them so that the seeds don't spread throughout your garden.

Divide the plants every 3-4 years in the spring.

HARVESTING CHIVES:

Chives should be ready to harvest 60 days after planting.

Cut the leaves down to the base when harvesting.

Harvest 3-4 times during the first year, and then cut monthly the years after.

So now that you know how to grow chives, it's time to roll up your sleeves and get to planting!

HERBS

The many varieties of herbs are easy to grow and very prolific. Some are more hearty and shrub-like such as rosemary, thyme, sage, and oregano; others are more delicate and prone to wilting or bolting when subjected to extreme heat such as dill, parsley, cilantro, and chives. Growing herbs such as mint or lavender in containers is beneficial because it won't have an opportunity to spread--as these tend to be invasive and difficult to rid your garden of. Herbs keep producing as long as you continue pruning and harvesting. They can be used fresh or dried to add flavor to any number of dishes.

COMMON PESTS: Aphids, Flea Beetles, Slugs

SUSCEPTIBLE TO: Bolting, Powdery Mildew, Downy Mildew, Anthracnose, Damping Off

COMMON PESTS: Aphids, Flea Beetles, Slugs

SUSCEPTIBLE TO: Bolting, Powdery Mildew, Downy Mildew, Anthracnose, Damping Off