Chives
other names: Allium schoenoprasum, Linn. Lulls

Chives grow in small clumps with small white bulbous roots with hollow spear sprouting out of them. Small spears are harvested when they are young and small. They are cut into small pieces to liven up a number of different dishes. When the flowers develop they tend to be a bluish-pink or lavender color. To get the best of chives, try to grow them in your garden. The store bought ones tend to have trouble. Chives can be started by the seeds or bought at nurseries that are already in small clumps. To plant the seed: Dig hole 1 quarter inch. Make sure you start them as soon as the soil can be easily worked with. Put the seed in than spread the compost or sifted soil. Tap and do one more small covering to make sure there is enough soil for the seed to grow in. Make sure the soil is rich with a reasonable amount of water and in full sun. These plants do not like the shade. It is good for the chive plant if you do the mulching a bit early. The mulch will keep the moisture and make it harder to weeds and other grasses that will choke the chives. Fish emulsion is also wise to use when you are planting the chives.

Home | Album | Uses | Arts and Literature | Growing