A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Food Garden Forum Herbs Second year chives

Has anyone noticed a difference between 1st year chives and second year. And between chives grown indoors all year and those that are left out in the weather?

I grow Garlic Chives for some reason those are always the kind I get. I must say that second year is much better flavored than first year and that those that wintered outside are larger around and better tasting than the ones I kept inside. Has anyone else noticed differences?

I cant get garlic chives to 'take'. My regular chives grow outdoors. I think they were a bit spindly till their second year. I didnt have indoor ones to do a taste comparison though.

I start mine indoors. Maybe that would work for you too?

I haven't noticed it about chives but I do know that mints grown in the sun and mints grown in sun/shade are different.
The mints in part shade are far sweeter and not as strong and "rangy".
Also the mints that get some shade are far prettier and more delicate looking.

I have 8 or 9 clumps of chives,
(they are all babies of babies from the momma plant)

I eat from them allllll and I
only notice that the closer to flowering time
the hotter the chive...

I love chives..
and even more the flowers...

My chives are all in bloom finally. They look great. I'm looking forward to a nice harvest of seeds this year.

so TK how do I harvest the seeds?? AND--- I have always been told to pinch them off--to prevent the chive from being so hot---have I been doing wrong??--

flower heads can be removed to make vinegar or use in salads. If you want chives to reseed leave a third of the flowers on the plant. These will set seed, fall off and reseed for next year. Remove the flowers by cutting their stems to the ground. To remove the chive blades for food use, remove from the outer parts of the clump and leave 2 inch stubs.

Ditto on everything Herbalyn said...

And the flowers attract bees and beneficial insects
which is veryyyyyy good for your garden!!!

And both Chives and Garlic make great benefical companion
plants for roses *keeps aphids' at bay*
***disclaimer, I've never done it myself, so I can't
attest to it..***

thanks but if I want to harvest some seeds & not just let them fall in the existing place,then how do I go about it---

After the flower dies they will set seed. Watch them closely and when the seed head starts to disperse seeds harvest the entire head. At least that's what I'm planning to do. I haven't done chives before but I have done onions. And since they are the same family I'm expecting them to be about the same.

Yep, you're right on target Tammy!!!

While true that chive seeds can be collected and saved for use the following season be aware that doing so is a long, slow process. Chives started from seed requires patiences If one plans to start a variety of plants from seed, chives is one to let reseed itself and do the work for you. Its much easier and quicker to let this seasons seeds re-seed and transplant next years new plantlets.

Don't allow all the chive flowers produced to set seed. The energy of the plant will be directed to setting seed at the expense of the chive blades. Blade quality and taste will suffer; keep this in mind if planning to use chives over the summer. Let only a handful of blooms remain for seed collecting and remove the rest at soil level.

Here's my big set of 8 or 9 clumps that I have....

ok so THAT is why many years ago, I was told to pinch off the blooms--Makes sense to me. I feel silly too as I have always just cut the chive off about 6 inches down--I thought I was doing right--WOW I am learning so very much--I am so glad I found this Forum.

I grew my chives from seeds and found it to be easy. And since I will be moving at some time in the future I like to have some seeds available. And I like them to be fresh. I don't know how many seeds per seed head so I've let one whole clump go to bloom.

Working with basically a combination of hard pack and clay nothing reseeds in my garden except the weeds lol. So if I want something planted there I have to start it inside and transplant the juvenile plant.

seeds of some plants are not long lived, their viability can decline rapidly in a short amount of time. One would want to start seeds of these plants as soon as possible - or - when possible, leave the seeds in their natural state to re-seed at a later date. In the case of cultivars any saved seeds that germinate will revert back to the stronger parent plant. Leaf/stem or root cuttings would be the preferred propapation method for plants in these groups.

The allium family of herbs fall under the catagory and would include: Chives and onions.

Please note this is generalized information and has been found to be the norm, it is meant to be interpreted by the gardener and applied to their specific garden situation as exceptions always exist.

Removing the first 6 inches of blade growth won't harm your plant it will just make it crowded. Chives grow from the center out so harvesting from the outside and cutting down to 2 inches gives the center air circulation and allows new growth to fall to the outside. Do use only the tips of harvested blades for cooking.

Each spring small clumps can be removed from the chive bed and used elsewhere or traded. Don't remove more than a third of the plant if you plan to use the blooms. I divide my chives every two years and companion plant them in my tomato patch and rose bed.

Garlic Chive Tips:
Plant a starter clump in the fall. Keep it watered and mulch well for winter with chopped leaves. The first growing season don't let flowers form, clip their stems the moment you spot them and don't use more than a quarter of the blades.

Woohoo my flowers are starting to get fat at the base of each little flower. I love watching the plant make seeds. I've become fascinated with plants and their life cycles.

Now I kind of think I remember that someone said that the chives go bitter after they seed. Is that just the stem that grows the flower or the entire clump. I should have gotten the details at the time but my mind wondered off and I didn't sorry.

By the way I got three packets of chive seeds from my one clump so I'm happy about that. If anyone wants some I'll send them for a SASE. I normally wouldn't ask for postage but I have medical bills and high electric bills coming in and I am absolutely broke.