There is nothing quite like using your own freshly cut, home grown herbs in your cooking and salads.

Garlic Chives are similar in habit to chives but the leaves are flatter and the flowers are white. It boasts a delicate flavour of garlic and onion and grows to a height of about 30cm (12")  Garlic chives have white flowers with flat solid leaves.  The seed is black, faceted and pear shaped and contains a peppery taste. The plant has a distinctive growth habit with flat solid leaves unlike either onion or garlic, and straight thin white-flowering stalks that are much taller than the leaves. It grows in slowly expanding clumps, but also readily sprouts from seed. Besides its use as a vegetable, it also has attractive flowers for your garden.

WHEN TO SOW

Spring

SOW OUTSIDE

In shallow drills with a light covering of soil, soild needs to be rich, moist.  Soil should also be well drained, though the chives will tolerate a poorer soil.

SOW INSIDE

In spring/autumn direct into pot or container. Prefers full sun

WHAT TO DO NEXT

Thin plants to 9 inches apart, keep soil moist- especially in dry spells.  Divide and replant every four years.

HARVEST

The leaves may be cut at any time but do not cut more than half the leaves from any one plant and no lower than 5cm above the soil.

USES

The subtle garlic flavor of Garlic Chives are perfect for use in uncooked dishes where raw regular garlic might be too strong or too spicy.

HANDY TIP

Remove flowers for a better taste. When cutting chives enrich the soil to encourage a fuller, healthier plant.