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Chives (A. schenoprasum)

    April 22, 2024

    Where to start? Hmmm....Since I am not growing seeds so far this year, how about we start with what is already coming up in the garden? First up this time of year is chives. I love growing chives. They are truly a beautiful plant, and I always find that surprising since they are a member of the onion (or Allium) family. One doesn't tend to think of onions' as beautiful, but these truly are, with their bright green leaves and beautiful pink or lavender pom-pom type flowers. 

 

A. schoenoprasum

A little-known fact about chives. Not only do their leaves impart a mild onion flavour, (unless you have garlic chives, which have a mild garlic taste) but their flowers are also edible. Simply separate their florets, and sprinkle in a salad for a pop of colour and flavour. 

I won't provide any recipes just now for darling chive, as I just throw them on top of any fresh dish I am making for some colour and mild flavour. Stuffed potatoes with sour cream, pierogies, salad, summer pasta or couscous salads, potato salad, nachos, you name it! 


I love that I can run out to the garden any time from April to October, and just cut some fresh leaves. In fact, most herbs thrive best when you give them regular haircuts, they just grow faster. You will likely have more chives than you know what to do with eventually, as they do spread, but are not aggressive. 

Fear not! Chives also keep incredibly well in a variety of ways. You can slice them up and dry them either in a dehydrator, or on a paper towel lined plate. You can slice them and freeze them in a single layer on a tray lined with wax paper. (Just throw them in a bag or jar once frozen-no need to defrost before use, they thaw very quickly). They also keep for quite a while in your refrigerator, should you accidently cut more than you need at one time. 

How to get some in your garden? Step 1. Find someone who has chives already growing in their garden. Step 2. Ask them if you can have some. (just dig up a small chunk on the outer edge). Step 3. Plant them in your garden in a sunny or partial shady spot. It's pretty hard to kill these plants! You can also plant seed, but this is faster!

Enjoy!

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