Chives (Garlic) Growing Guide

Allium tuberosum

Crop Rotation Group

Allium (Onion family) ●

Soil

Any average, well drained soil.

Position

Full sun to partial afternoon shade.

Frost tolerant

Garlic chives are hardy perennials that survive winter even in very cold climates.

Feeding

Not generally needed.

Spacing

Single Plants: 5" (15cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 5" (15cm) with 7" (20cm) row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Start with a purchased plant, or start seeds indoors and set out at about the time of your last frost. Plants spaced 6 inches (15 cm) apart will grow into a solid mass in 3 years.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Garlic chives produce white, lightly scented flowers in late summer. Gather them for use as cut flowers to keep garlic chives from reseeding. Like regular chives, garlic chives can become invasive.

Harvesting

Do not harvest in the first year. In spring, gather handfuls of greens for use in the kitchen. The leaves become somewhat tough in summer.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Chives (Garlic)

Aphids (General)

Slug

Snail

Plant Diseases which Affect Chives (Garlic)

Allium White Rot

Onion Downy Mildew