Chives - Growing and Harvesting

Chive plant starting to go to seed.

Chives are very versatile and can be used in almost any recipe.  The mild onion flavor makes it enjoyable even for the most persnickety eater. 

Chives are one of the easiest herbs to grow.  I recommend buying a chive plant as opposed to starting it from seed - that way you will be able to harvest the first year.  Simply cut off the tender grass-like shoots (cutting as close to the ground as possible), wash and consume.  Harvesting the tender green chive shoots will slowly come to an end if you allow the plant to go to seed.  In the picture above you will notice that some chive stalks have a pink feathery flower.  To extend your chive harvest simply cut the flowering stalks down to the ground - continue doing this and you should be able to harvest the tender chive foliage for the enitre summer.

The pink flowering chive stalks have been cut down.