How to Grow Fresh Chives

Till soil in your garden and amend with compost or composted manure. Sprinkle chive seeds across the soil and cover with a thin layer of sifted soil. Water well and keep evenly moist until the seeds have sprouted. Label the area where you have sown the seeds so that you know what is planted there.

When growing chives in a container, choose a pot that has good drainage. Fill with potting soil amended with a small amount of compost or composted manure. Sprinkle chive seeds across the soil and cover with a thin layer of sifted soil. Water the seeds thoroughly. Soil in containers can dry out quickly, so check soil daily and water as needed to maintain moisture levels.

Maintain the seedlings by watering well and providing adequate sunlight. Chive seeds will germinate within two weeks. After seedlings have emerged, cut back to watering once per week. Chive plants prefer full sun, but will also thrive in dappled sun or on a windowsill. They only require a small amount of fertilizer yearly.

Cut chives as you need them. The plant will continue to grow as long as you do not cut off more than two-thirds of the plant at one time. Chives can be used in a variety of dishes, including scrambled eggs, salads and any recipe that calls for green onions. They are also a baked potato mainstay.

Be creative about where you grow your chives. A grouping of pots filled with herbs on a windowsill is convenient for the home cook. Herbs also look great in window boxes or pots hanging on balcony railings. Planting herbs in hanging baskets frees up space in the garden for larger vegetables.