Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) is a type of plant that has so many uses. Chives can be used in salads, soups, meat dishes, with cheese… and much more. Growing chives yourself is a good idea, but you also need to know when and how to harvest them. See step 1 to start learning about harvesting chives.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Knowing When and What to Harvest
Step 1. Choose the right plant part
Look for leaves that are long, green, and hollow. This is the part of the plant that looks like grass when it is actually a leaf. This part is what you use in your cooking.
Chives flowers are also edible but do not have the same taste as chives stems. Chives flowers can be used to decorate salads or soups
Step 2. Know when to start harvesting chives
You can start harvesting chives when the leaves grow large enough to cut and use.
Step 3. Plant several chives at once
This will help you at harvest time. If you only have one plant, you may be overharvesting it by cutting the leaves off when they are not fully ready to harvest. If you have several plants at once, then you can harvest one of the leaves and wait for it to grow back while you harvest from the other.
Part 2 of 2: Harvesting Chives
Step 1. Gather the leaves together
Use clean, sharp scissors to cut the leaves. Do not cut too close to the tuber, or you will interfere with further growth of the chives. You will need to leave about 1/2 inch of leaves above the ground.
- Cut off the outside of the leaf. Sharp scissors will cut well because they won't damage the plant as if you were using blunt shears.
- If you want to continue harvesting chives in the rainy season, transfer the sprigs to a pot and place them in a sunny window.
Step 2. Use your chives or keep them
If you store them, the chopped chives can be stored in the refrigerator in a tight plastic bag for up to a week. You can also freeze chives in ice cubes or freeze them to dry.
- Before cooking, rinse the chives under cold running water to remove dirt and debris from the garden.
- Another good method of preserving chives is to make chives vinegar.
Step 3. Use chives for cooking
You can add it to salads. Or as a layer of baked potatoes. You can use chives in so many ways!
Tips
- Chives usually grow to a height of about 20 cm.
- It's a good idea to separate your chives every 2 years. When replanting, plant 8-10 bulbs together.
- If using chives for a salad, pick them when they are in bloom.
- Plant chives in pots during the fall or winter for your supplies.
