By Jennifer Poindexter
Do you desire a lush herb garden? You should consider adding chives. This herb is not only delicious, but it makes its growing space beautiful.
It has to do with its vibrant green foliage, purple flowers, and the way it abounds like a bush. Chives are also an easy herb to grow. However, there are a few common mistakes gardeners make when raising this herb. I’m going to share these typical mistakes and their solutions.
Here’s what you should know before adding chives to your garden space.
1. Starting Seeds in the Wrong Way
Many gardeners want to grow chives from seeds. The only problem is, they seem to struggle with getting the seeds to germinate.
Unless purchasing a seedling from a nursery, it’s wise to start chives indoors from seed. If you, too, are struggling with getting your chive seeds to germinate, here’s what you may need to know:
How to Avoid this Mistake:
If your plants are failing to germinate, there are a few reasons why. First, you should start the seeds indoors to have more control over the growing environment. Don’t direct sow chive seeds into the garden.
The next thing is to ensure you’re starting your seeds properly. You should place one seed per cell in the grow tray.
Cover the seeds, lightly, with soil. Spritz the seeds with water, using a spray bottle. It’s also wise to add a layer of plastic wrap around the grow tray.
This creates a greenhouse effect for the seeds and helps hold moisture within the soil. Ensure the seeds are kept between 60- and 70-degrees Fahrenheit.
Once they’ve sprouted, you can remove the plastic wrap and continue to keep the soil consistently moist.
It should take approximately seven to ten days. After the seeds are up, move the tray to where it will receive indirect sunlight. By following these few tips, you should have an easier time getting chive seeds to germinate properly.
2. Ignoring Pests
Chives have an onion scent. Therefore, they aren’t susceptible to many pests or diseases.This scent has a way of driving most insects away. The biggest issue, when growing chives, is thrips.
Ignoring these pests could cause you to lose your entire harvest. Stay alert to all potential threats. You’ll be glad you did.
How to Avoid this Mistake:
Thrips feed in groups. Therefore, you’ll begin noticing the color draining from your chives.The herb may even take on a silver tint. When they don’t appear quite as vibrant, you’ll know you have a problem.
On closer inspection, you might notice the actual pest. If you see any unwanted visitors on your chives, treat the plants with an insecticide immediately.
3. Failing to Act When Your Chives Are Floppy
Chives are typically bushy plants. If they ever appear floppy and lifeless, you should take notice because it’s a sign that you have a problem on your hands.
Begin by ensuring the plant is receiving everything it needs from you. Chances are, if the plant is drooping it’s in need of basic care.
How to Avoid this Mistake:
When chives begin to flop over, there are three main things which could be wrong. The first thing is the plant is receiving too much water. If you feel you might be applying too much, hold off for a few days, and see if the plant improves.
The second thing is the chive plant may not be receiving enough sunlight. Ensure you have the growing conditions accurate prior to planting.
Finally, the chive plant may be too hot. Chives can thrive in temperatures between 40- and 80-degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re in the midst of a heat wave, try to provide shade for your plant.
If in a container, you could move it to a shaded area. If it’s in the ground, place a table umbrella in the ground next to your plant. This should provide some shade until the heat wave is over.
4. Improper Spacing and Poor Soil
As I mentioned earlier, chives are normally a lush, bright green color. If you look at your chives, and they’re becoming discolored, you have a problem in your garden.
There are a few reasons why chives might lose their color. Make sure you know what your plants need and how to properly care for them to deter a potential issue.
How to Avoid this Mistake:
If you begin noticing that your plants are discolored, chances are they’re either lacking space or the soil doesn’t have enough nutrients in it.
When growing chives in containers, it’s best to only grow one plant per container. If growing chives in a traditional garden, you’ll need one foot of space between each plant.
However, if your plants are spaced adequately, it’s time to check the soil. If it’s lacking nutrients, be sure to fertilize your herb to help it bounce back.
5. Damping Off
Damping off is a fungal disease which only impacts seedlings. When growing chives from seed, it’s important to do everything you can to keep this disease at bay.
Once your seedlings have contracted the disease, there’s no coming back from it. Therefore, pay close attention to your seedlings to ensure they make it to planting.
How to Avoid this Mistake:
Damping off can be avoided by ensuring the soil remains consistently moist without becoming oversaturated.
You should also keep your seedlings under a heat lamp to keep the soil warm enough to deter fungal issues.
Finally, sprinkle cinnamon over the soil. Cinnamon has the natural ability to fight fungal disease. By taking these few steps, it could save your seedlings.
6. Not Watering Properly
All plants need water. However, there is a right way and wrong way to go about it. If a plant has shallow roots, it should be watered lightly on a daily basis.
If the plant has deeper roots, it can handle being watered deeply. This allows for longer watering sessions, fewer days of the week. Understand which category chives fall under to ensure they’re watered adequately.
How to Avoid this Mistake:
Chives should be watered deeply. This encourages the plant to form a stronger root system and ensures the roots are watered properly.
If you’re unsure when you should add more water, check the soil. Insert your finger into the soil. When your finger is dry to the first knuckle, it’s time to add more water.
7. Not Enough Light
Like most plants, chives love light. If your plant doesn’t seem to be thriving, it could be that it’s not planted in the right location.
Ensure you understand the proper growing conditions for this herb. By providing what the plant needs, you’re giving it a firm foundation to grow from.
How to Avoid this Mistake:
You can avoid this mistake by planting your chive plants in the right location. This includes planting in an area where the herb will receive full sunlight.
Chives are sun-loving plants. Therefore, if you ensure they’re growing where they’ll receive six to eight hours of sunlight per day, they should thrive under your care.
8. Overthinking Things
This last tip is something most gardeners do. We overthink everything when it comes to our plants. In general, chives are low-maintenance.
If you see a pest, some discoloration, or notice your plants are floppy, pay attention. However, if your plants are growing, and seem to be fine, don’t mother them to the point you cause a problem.
How to Avoid this Mistake:
This is probably one of the biggest mistakes, and the hardest one to overcome. Chives don’t need a ton from you as their gardener.
They can grow in poor quality soil and thrive if you forget to water them. The biggest things they need are well-draining soil and sunlight.
Problems begin to form when the gardener wonders if they should be doing more, so they provide too much care. An example of this would be overwatering. Wait until your chives show they’re in need before you worry yourself with doing too much for this plant.
These are the basic mistakes most gardeners make when growing chives in their garden. If you can provide a few basics, the plant should thrive.
Remember, until the plant sends out signals that it’s suffering, it’s best to let it be until time to harvest. Provide minimal care to your chive plant, and it should prosper.
More About Growing Chives
https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-chives
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/growing_chives_smart_gardening_tips_for_success
https://plantvillage.psu.edu/topics/chives/infos
Can I grow chives in a pot? How can I get them to bloom ina a pot that is in full sun?
Hi,
I have had recurring chives for the past six years! They’re in an long oval shaped plastic planter on my north facing front walkway. They’re already over a foot tall and starting to flower. I do nothing to them! If it doesn’t rain for several days I will water them. They’re the hardiest thing I’ve ever grown( or not grown!) and I use them constantly! Wish I knew how to attach a pic to this!?