Chives
A neat, grass‑like onion herb that comes back every year. Pretty purple flowers in early summer are edible too.
Things to look out for
- Cut hard after flowering for fresh young leaves
- Divide overgrown clumps every few years
- Pretty flowers are edible — scatter on salads
What to sow
Sow a small pinch of seeds in a pot or module of compost. Keep warm and damp.
UK window: Mar–Jul
What to plant out
Plant out small clumps ~25 cm apart in a sunny spot. They thrive in pots too.
UK window: Apr–Sep
How to care
Water in dry spells. Cut plants back hard after flowering for a fresh flush of leaves.
When to harvest
Snip leaves with scissors close to the base, taking a little from each clump rather than stripping one plant.
UK window: Apr–Oct