Growing chives in Perth

WA Scene | August 16, 2021 | 0 Comments

How to grow chives in Perth

Growing herbs in Perth or other parts of Western Australia is very easy. Chives (allium schoenoprasum) have a light onion flavor, and their hollow, green leaves grace our summer salads, soups, omelettes, and almost anything else that needs a light herbaceous punch. I love chives on my scrambled eggs personally, they use them to elevate the humble dish to a whole new level. Fresh chives are also a great match for potato salad, but they are versatile enough to work for a range of dishes and cuisines.

If you have ever wondered how to grow chives in Perth then look no further. A relatively simple herb to grow there are a few tricks to successfully growing chives in Perth, Western Australia but get these right and you will be laughing.

When to plant chives in Perth:
The best time to plant chives in Perth is spring, after frost danger has passed. You can easily grow chives indoors in a bright, sunny location.

Where do chives grow best?
Chives thrive in full sun and well drained soil rich which is rich in organic matter. The easiest and most successful way of growing chives is planting rooted clumps. You can easily grow chives indoors in a bright, sunny location.

How much water do chives need?
How much water chives require will depend on the season. During the warmer months of December and January, it’s important to regularly water chives as this will result in high yields. Chives will slow down during winter and rejuvenate again in the spring and summer months.

Types of chives in Western Australia:
There are four species of chives: common chives (Allium schoenoprasum), Garlic chives (Allium tuberosum), Siberian garlic chives (Allium nutans) and giant Siberian chives (Allium ledebourianum). All four species are edible and have different flavours however common chives and garlic chives are the most planted in Western Australia.

How to grow chives from seed:
Growing chives from seeds is easy, fun and rewarding!

Choose a spot in your garden that receives full sun or dappled sunlight.
Sow seeds into a rich quality potting mix.
Apply Liquid Plant Food suitable for herbs every couple of weeks to help grow a healthy crop of chives.
Chives reach peak maturity 60 days after you seed. However, continuous harvest promotes a healthy crop of chives.

How to grow chives in a pot:
Growing chives in pots is a great idea. Chives flourish in pots which means you can have some growing right outside the kitchen door.

Place your pot in a location in the garden that attracts sunlight.
Sow seeds into a medium sized pot with a quality potting mix.
Apply Liquid Plant Food suitable for herbs every couple of weeks to help grow a healthy crop of chives.
Chives reach peak maturity 60 days after you seed. However, continuous harvest promotes a healthy crop of chives.

When to harvest chives:
Like most herbs, chives require constant pruning, so the more you use your herbs, the better they’ll grow. Plants will reach their peak 60 days after you seed. Chive plants can grow to about 60cm tall. Pruning is recommended every two weeks in the peak growing seasons of spring and summer.

The best time to harvest chives is when they’re full, removing any dead leaves as you go. To harvest simply use scissors to cut the chives about 1cm above soil level. Leaving a little bit of plant allows for it to grow back.

Storing chives at home:
The best way to eat chives is freshly cut straight from the plant. However if you can’t use your fresh cut chives right away, you can place the ends in long drinking glass one quarter filled with water in the refrigerator for a couple of days.

Companion plants for chives:
Plant chives alongside carrots, tomatoes, mustard greens, or cabbage. Chives actually repel carrot flies, aphids, and cabbage worms. Planting chives next to apple trees, is also a great trick as chives are known to prevent apple scab.

Chives care and common problems:
Protect your chive plants from snails and slugs when they’re young, using pet-friendly snail pellets or traps. As plants mature, they tend to be relatively pest free.

Notes:
Chives are a perennial herb meaning they return to the garden year after year.