To keep clumps growing vigorously, it’s a good idea to divide them every few years: Lift the clump with a fork to avoid damaging the bulbs as well as garden worms. Divide into clumps of around 10 to 12 bulbs. Cut the leaves right back to help reduce water loss and they’re ready to be replanted.
When should I divide my chives?
Divide chives at the end of summer to keep them fresh
Chives have usually grown into a large clump by the end of summer and really need splitting up to keep them rejuvenated. If you leave them in a huge clump they start dying out in the centre and will become weak and spindly.
Can chives be separated?
Sometimes you can separate small clumps of chives into pieces using just your hands, but a hand fork (or even better, two hand forks placed back-to-back and forced apart) makes the job easier. Replant one of the clusters of bulbs back into your garden to die back and rest over winter.
Can chives be divided in spring?
Remember to divide the plants every 3 to 4 years in the spring. Chives are much more productive if divided regularly. Divide them into clumps of at least 10 small bulbs and allow divided plants to grow for several weeks before harvesting.
How do you multiply chives?
Chives will multiply if flowers are allowed to seed out. Mature plants can be divided and transplanted every few years.
Will chives regrow after cutting?
Clip leaves from the outer portion of the plant first, making sure not to clip all of the plant at once. If you make a mistake and cut back all of the plant, no worries. It will grow back the following year. Wait to harvest your chives when the plant is at least six inches tall.
Do chives transplant well?
Transplanting chives is simple and usually successful, as the plants grow in clumps that are quite hardy and resilient. In fact, the University of Florida IFAS recommends dividing clumps of established chives every two to three years to avoid overcrowding the plants.
How do you divide potted chives?
- Cut the old stems back hard, then use a spade to lift the whole clump with a large root ball onto a bare patch on the border.
- Divide the fibrous root balls cleanly into smaller pieces by placing two forks back to back into the clump, then pulling apart.
- Prepare the new planting area.
Can you propagate chive?
As mentioned, propagation can be from chive seed, transplants, or division. Divide the plants every two to three years, separating new plants into clumps of about five bulbs each. When planting chive seeds, the soil should be rich, moist, and high in organic matter with a soil pH of between 6 and 8.
Do chives keep growing?
Chives are perennial plants, so they will die back in winter and regrow in spring. Pot grown chives will need dividing and repotting every couple of years. Chives growing in the ground can also become congested. Lift and divide congested clumps to rejuvenate them.
Can you eat chives after they flower?
Yes! Chives do not lose their flavor after flowering. So you can continue to harvest them all summer long, before, during, and after blooming.
What do you do with chives in the winter?
Freeze Your Chives
- Fill ice cube trays with chopped chives. Add just enough water or olive oil to cover the herbs and freeze until solid.
- Dry-freeze your chopped chives by either vacuum-sealing the herbs or by simply putting them in a freezer bag and removing the air as best you can.
How long do chive plants last?
Chives are what is called a perennial. These are herbs that (can) last more than 2 years if you take care of them and provide light, nutrients, good potting soil if you grow them indoors.
Do chives need full sun?
Chives thrive in full sun and well drained soil rich in organic matter. Have your soil tested. A pH range of 6.0-7.0 is best. They tolerate light shade, but six to eight hours of direct light is best.
Do chives spread?
Will my chives spread? Neither onions chives nor garlic chives will spread, though the clump will get larger (like a bunching onion). However, garlic chives will reseed if the blooms are left on the plant long enough for seeds to mature and fall into the garden.
Will chives survive winter?
Although all chives will eventually die down over winter, they will last a little longer than those left outside at the mercy of the colder conditions. When the plants do die down, later in winter, remove all dead material, and water occasionally throughout the winter.
Do chives need a lot of water?
For chives, it is best to give the herb a thorough watering once or twice a week. You should then let the soil around the herb dry completely before you water again.
How do I make my chives thicker?
To make sure chives grow thicker, select organically rich, well-draining soils. Grow the herb in sandy-loam soils. These soils do not retain much water in the root section and are well-draining. Loam soils are a mixture of sand, clay, and silt.
Do chives come back each year?
Chives are a perennial, meaning they come back each year, so plan a designated space for them within your garden. Chives are cold hardy to Zone 3, so you will have success in northern Michigan gardens.
Do chives have deep roots?
Chives Container Depth
Chives are considered a shallow-rooted plant, which means the deepest roots are no more than 12 to 18 inches (30 to 46 cm) in depth. However, most chive roots will reach no further than 3 inches (7.6 cm). You can successfully grow chives in containers between 3 and 4 inches deep.
What can you not plant with chives?
Chives grow well with just about anything. Grapes, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, cabbage, eggplant, kohlrabi, mustard, peppers, potatoes, rhubarb, roses, squash, and strawberries all do better when growing near chives. Asparagus, beans, peas, and spinach, however, have a harder time growing when planted near chives.