Chives (Garlic) Growing Guide

Allium tuberosum

Chives (Garlic)

Crop Rotation Group

Allium (Onion family) 

Soil

Any average, well drained soil.

Position

Full sun to partial afternoon shade.

Frost tolerant

Garlic chives are hardy perennials that survive winter even in very cold climates.

Feeding

Not generally needed.

Companions

Often planted with oregano, thyme, and other mound-forming herbs.

Spacing

Single Plants: 15cm (5") each way (minimum)
Rows: 15cm (5") with 20cm (7") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Start with a purchased plant, or start seeds indoors and set out at about the time of your last frost. Plants spaced 15 cm (6in) apart will grow into a solid mass in 3 years.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Garlic chives produce white, lightly scented flowers in late summer. Gather them for use as cut flowers to keep garlic chives from reseeding. Like regular chives, garlic chives can become invasive.

Harvesting

Do not harvest in the first year. In spring, gather handfuls of greens for use in the kitchen. The leaves become somewhat tough in summer.

Troubleshooting

Deadhead garlic chives to limit reseeding.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Chives (Garlic)

Plant Diseases which Affect Chives (Garlic)