Chives!????

[darcyvuqua]

I cant seem to start chives I tried last year and the year before but never get anything Im thinking of sowing some tonight please can someone give me and tips, pointers or advise.


Many Thanks

[veggiechicken]

You could buy a pot from the supermarket and plant that out Split it into a few sections before you do and you'll have several clumps for your money

[darcyvuqua]

how long do they last VC can you overwinter outside? ooooohhhhhhh never thought of buying the supermarket pack

[Pies]

Supermarket for me and get those that have passed their best before,cheaper,mine live overwinter no probs

[zazen999]

I cant seem to start chives I tried last year and the year before but never get anything Im thinking of sowing some tonight please can someone give me and tips, pointers or advise.


Many Thanks

Get a pot. fill 3/4 full of soil. Put the whole packet of seeds in [open the packet and tip the seeds onto the surface of the soil]. Put half an inch of soil over the top. Label them 'chives'. Stick outside until they germinate.

[rustylady]

how long do they last VC can you overwinter outside? ooooohhhhhhh never thought of buying the supermarket pack

Chives are hardy. Mine are planted in the flower border. They die back during the winter and re-sprout when the weather warms up in Spring.

They also multiply into big clumps which you can lift and separate.

[Darwin.]

I bought mine in the garden centre last year and they didn't last long, they got infected with greenflies and had to be chucked out. I've got seeds this year, I haven't planted them yet.

[rustylady]

I bought mine in the garden centre last year and they didn't last long, they got infected with greenflies and had to be chucked out. I've got seeds this year, I haven't planted them yet.

Were you trying to keep them indoors Darwin?

[Darwin.]

Yeah, they were in the conservatory. I moved them out after that. I'll be growing them in a multiplanter this year, most likely in the polytunnel.

How did you know?

[darcyvuqua]

so should I sow now and leave them outside each year i put them somewhere warm they never seem to germinate am i keeping them to warm

[veggiechicken]

Once they're big enough, plant them out and leave them out. Just snip off a bit when you need it In winter they die back and about now, they'll be shooting again. Pupsy

[rustylady]

Yeah, they were in the conservatory. I moved them out after that. I'll be growing them in a multiplanter this year, most likely in the polytunnel.

How did you know?

I'm psychic Seriously though, chives are hardy and do much better planted outside in open ground.

[rustylady]

so should I sow now and leave them outside each year i put them somewhere warm they never seem to germinate am i keeping them to warm

According to this guide The Official Seed Starting Home Page - Chives chives need warmth to germinate successfully. If you can germinate tomatoes and chillies you should be able to germinate chives.

[Nicos]

I buy a couple of plants a year - in the summer-and split them into 3 or 4 then plant them in various parts of the garden.
Some will thrive and others struggle. It's my way of getting to know my garden!

They die back each autumn and come back every Spring.
Easiest way me thinks!

[SarzWix]

Mine are happiest in a slightly damp, partially shaded spot. They never thrive in the sort of warm/dryish place that the mediterranean herbs are happiest.

If you buy a pot from the supermarket, harden them off before you shove them outside; they'll be 'soft' from growing inside.