Garlic Chives Seeds

Garlic chive is a classic herb loved by many. The Chinese have been cultivating and cooking it for at least 3,000 years and its popularity has long expanded past its borders to be incorporated in many classic dishes from around the world. Quite easy to grow from seed as an annual during the cool season, garlic chive can also be turned into a hardy perennial if provided with some protection from the extreme cold weather.

Garlic chives look like long flat green grass-like shoots, and they will reach about 2 feet tall at maturity. The plants will start to emit a mild garlic aroma when they reach about 6’’ tall. Their little white flowers are edible too, adding a nice subtle garlic flavour. Garlic chive is excellent fresh in many Asian sautéed dishes or as a garnish on baked potatoes, just to name a few examples. They can also be dried for use during the winter months. Simply substitute one teaspoon for one tablespoon, which is the general rule of thumb for most dried herbs.

- Latin Name: Allium tuberosum
- Life Cycle: Annual, can be grown as a perennial
- Canada Hardiness Zone: 4-9
- Days to Maturity: 90
- Planting Depth: 5 mm
- Plant Spacing: 20-30 cm
- Growth Habit: 30 cm tall

GROWING INSTRUCTIONS

This piquant perennial is a favorite to add fresh to salads, soups and just about any other dish! The bright green shoots reliably and readily spring up every year and supply gardeners with plenty of their signature onion flavour.

Seed can be started indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. When sowing directly outdoors, plant seeds as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring. Seeds should be planted 5mm deep and covered lightly with soil. After germination, thin plants to 10-15 cm apart. Transplant outside when seedlings are well established, the danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures are around 15 degrees. A site with fertile, well-drained soil and full sun will provide the best growing conditions.

Once established, chives are quite hardy and will grow productively with little required maintenance. Mulch around the base of the plant is helpful, to protect their shallow bulbs and conserve moisture. Remove the appealing and edible flowers before they go to seed. If seeds are left to scatter, you will surely see the little onion-like sprouts emerging all throughout your garden the next season.

It is a good idea to divide chive bunches every few years. Break them into clumps of 10-12 small bulbs and replant or share with friends and neighbors. Chives taste best harvested about 30 days after transplanting. Be sure to cut down to the base of the plant. Harvest multiple times per year and enjoy the pungent flavor and health benefits of this prolific perennial regularly. 

QUICK FACTS

- Chives are repulsive to insects in general but their flowers provide a great deal of nectar for bees and other beneficial pollinators. 

- Chive blossoms can be tossed in a salad or, more commonly, used to garnish a dish.

- Chive seeds will remain viable for 1 year if stored in a cool, dark place, ideally between 4 and 10⁰C. After that, the germination rate may start to go down.