Chives Seeds - Allium schoenoprasum

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

USDA Zones 3-10 - Chives grow as a very hardy and reliable herbaceous perennial, returning each spring. In the hottest zones, they may go dormant during peak summer heat but will resume growth in the cooler temperatures of fall.

Best Performance - Thrives in the temperate conditions of Zones 4-8, where they produce lush growth from spring through fall without significant heat stress.

Northern Zones (3-5) - An exceptionally reliable perennial in cold climates. The plant will die back to the ground completely with the first hard frost and will be one of the first green shoots to emerge in the garden in early spring.

Hot Climate Zones (9-10) - Chives will grow best during the cooler months of fall, winter, and spring. To help them survive the summer, plant them in a location that receives afternoon shade and provide consistent moisture. Growth will slow or stop in extreme heat.

Soil Temperature - Seeds germinate best in soil that is between 60-70 degrees F. Germination can be slow, so maintaining consistent moisture is important.

Growing Season - As a perennial, chives can be harvested lightly in their first year. In subsequent years, the clumps will expand, allowing for frequent harvests from early spring until the first hard frost in the fall.

Learn more about USDA Hardiness Zones here

When to Sow:
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. For direct sowing, plant seeds outdoors in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked.

Sowing and Germination:

Seed Depth: Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in a well-draining, fertile seed-starting mix.

Soil: Chives prefer rich, moist, well-drained soil. Amending your garden soil with compost before planting is ideal.

Germination: Keep the soil consistently moist. Germination is often slow and can take 14-21 days. Be patient.

Starting in Clumps: Chives grow naturally in clumps. Sowing 5-10 seeds together in a single cell or pot is an effective way to start a nice-sized clump for transplanting.

Transplanting and Spacing:

Hardening Off: Gradually introduce seedlings started indoors to outdoor conditions over a period of 7-10 days before planting in the garden.

Transplanting: Plant seedlings or clumps into the garden after the danger of hard frost has passed.

Spacing: Space individual seedlings or small clumps 8-12 inches apart.

Ongoing Care:

Light: Chives thrive in full sun (6+ hours per day) but will tolerate light shade, which is beneficial in hot southern climates.

Water: Chives have shallow root systems and require consistent moisture to produce tender leaves. Water regularly, not allowing the soil to dry out completely.

Fertilizing: Feed the plants with a balanced liquid fertilizer a few times during the growing season, or top-dress the soil around the clumps with compost each spring.

Harvesting: Begin harvesting when the leaves are 6-8 inches tall. Use scissors to snip the leaves about 1-2 inches above the soil line. Regular harvesting prevents the leaves from becoming tough and encourages the plant to produce new shoots.

Maintenance: To keep the plant tidy and productive, remove spent flower stalks after they fade. Every 2-3 years, you can dig up and divide the clumps in the spring to rejuvenate them and create new plants.