Buzz
Chives (‘Allium schoenoprasum’) are incredibly versatile herbs with numerous benefits. They can be used in salads, soups, paired with meat, mixed into cheese dishes, and in a variety of other recipes. You can easily grow your own chives, but it’s essential to know the right time and technique for harvesting them. See Step 1 below to learn more.
Steps
Recognizing the Right Time and Product for Harvesting
Choose the Right Chive Plants. You should harvest long, dark green chive leaves that are hollow inside. They resemble grass, but these are actual leaves. These are the parts you'll use in your cooking.
- Chive flowers are also edible but don't have the same strong flavor as the leaves. You can use them as a garnish for salads or soups.
Identifying the Right Time to Start Harvesting Chives. You can begin harvesting once the leaves have grown sufficiently large and can be trimmed for use.
Plant Multiple Chive Plants at Once. This will be helpful when it comes time to harvest. If you only plant one chive plant, you’ll need to harvest it early before it has time to fully grow. However, when planting several, you can harvest the leaves from one plant and allow the leaves to regrow while you harvest from the next one.
Harvesting Chives
Harvest Chive Bundles One at a Time. Use a sharp, clean pair of scissors to cut the leaves. Avoid cutting too close to the chive bulb, as this can prevent the leaves from growing back. Leave about 1.5 cm of stem from the bulb that is above the soil.
- Cut from the outer edges of the bundle of leaves. Be careful not to use dull scissors, as they can damage the plant.
Use or Store Chives. To preserve chives, wrap them in plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator for about a week. You can also freeze chives in ice cubes or dry them for storage.
- Another method of preservation is by making chive vinegar.
Cooking with chives. You can use chive leaves to make a fresh salad. Alternatively, chop them finely and sprinkle over roasted potatoes. The leaves of chives offer a multitude of culinary possibilities!
Advice
- The chive plant typically grows between 20 to 50 cm in height.
- It is recommended to divide the chive plant every two years. When replanting, you should place 8-10 bulbs together.
- If you plan to use chive flowers in a salad, it is best to pick them while they are still blooming.
- Plant chives in a pot during the fall to ensure a fresh supply for the winter season.
What you'll need
- Chive plants (a sufficient quantity)
- Sharp and clean scissors
