Chive Seeds,
Common

Set outside around the last frost date of spring, or direct seed in the garden at about that time. In warmer climates (zones 8-10), chives can also be planted in the fall for a winter or early spring harvest. Check your local area’s frost dates to plan planting. If you’re not sure how to do that, give our blog post ‘Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources’ a read.

Sow seeds 1/8 inch deep and lightly cover them with soil. Space the plants 3-9 inches apart. Keep the soil consistently moist during germination, which usually takes 7-14 days. The ideal germination temperature is 55-60 F.

Water chives regularly, aiming for about 1 inch of water per week. Frequent harvesting encourages new growth, and it's best to cut leaves at the base rather than plucking individual stems. Deadhead flowers to prevent self-seeding unless you want more plants. Chives benefit from a light application of compost or balanced fertilizer in the spring. They are well-suited for containers and can be grown indoors near a sunny window or under grow lights.

• Chives will not cross-pollinate with other alliums like onions or garlic, making it easy to save seed.
• Chives are a biennial seed crop, so you will save seeds in the second summer.
• Allow onions to shoot up spikes of purple flowers.
• Let seeds become dry on the plants. Pick seeds when they are hard and dark black; then you can bring them indoors to finish drying.
• Once dry, separate the seeds from the husks or leave them on and plant them husks and all.