How to Grow Chives From Seed

Chives are often one of the first herbs to emerge in the spring. This plant produces a clump of grass-like leaves with pom pom blooms in shades of lavender. The hollow leaves are used as seasoning to impart a mild onion flavor to soups, sauces and meat dishes. When chopped finely, chives are often used as a light garnish for baked potatoes and sour cream. Although propagation is typically performed by root division, chives can easily be started from seed in early spring.

Garden tiller
Well-rotted manure
Compost
16-16-8 fertilizer
High nitrogen fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Prepare a bed for chives in an area that receives direct sunlight for six to eight hours a day. Till the soil to a depth of 8 to 10 inches. Remove roots, stones and other debris from the soil.
- 2
  Spread a 4- to 6-inch layer of well-rotted manure or compost over the planting area. Add 2 to 3 tbsp. of 16-16-8 fertilizer per square foot of area. Work the organic matter and fertilizer into the soil with a garden tiller or hand tools.
- 3
  Plant chive seeds to a depth of 1/4 inch spaced 4 to 6 inches apart. Cover with soil and firm down with your hands to remove air pockets around the seeds.
- 4
  Water to moisten the soil to a depth of 1 inch. Keep the soil moist until seedlings emerge. Each seed produces a cluster of chives. Reduce water to once a week, saturating the soil to the root level, once seedlings are established.
- 5
  Fertilize with high-nitrogen fertilizer in late spring and again in mid summer.

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