Easy to Grow Chives

Host: Gary Bachman, Ornamental Horticulture Specialist

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Everyone can grow a few fresh herbs, so let’s talk easy-to-grow chives today on Southern Gardening.

Southern Gardening with Gary Bachman is produced by the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

I try to grow a variety of herbs in my container garden each year for both kitchen and their ornamental value. Some can really be temperamental, and some are easy. What I like to call—using a sports reference—no look gardening.

Chives fall into the easy category and are a favorite. This versatile herb, with their distinctly mild onion flavor, thrives in my container herb garden. I grow the eight to ten inch plants in containers with afternoon shade.

Chives will grace your herb garden with bright green stems, and, when they’re in bloom, are topped with edible pinkish-purple, pom-pom, globed-shaped flowers that look and taste great when in a fresh salad. As with all container grown herbs, they should be grown in a place that is convenient for harvest. A pot on the porch near the back door, will keep these garden fresh flavors ready for tonight’s dinner.

Snip the chive leaves with a pair of sharp scissors. Continuous harvesting will keep the plant producing delicious new growth. I’m betting you’ll end up with more than one plant to keep up with the recipe demand.

If you’re not used to using fresh chives, the lively oniony flavor is amazing. I like to go out and harvest a few leaves and sprinkle on my morning eggs.

Until next time, I’m horticulturist Gary Bachman enjoying our Southern gardening.

Southern Gardening with Gary Bachman is produced by the Mississippi State University Extension Service.