Chinese Chives - Allium tuberosum

Sowing

Germination occurs at a temperature of around 18°C (64.4°F). It takes between 20 and 25 days for the seedlings to emerge.

Sowing can be done either under cover or in open ground.

Sow from the end of February, in a cool place at home or in a greenhouse. Use a tray with drainage holes and fill it with special sowing compost. Sow the seeds at a depth of 2 to 3mm, spacing them 5 to 7cm (2 to 3in) apart. Water with a very fine spray. When your young plants have 4 leaves, transplant 3 or 4 plants into pots and place them in the garden in autumn or the following spring.

Sowing in open ground is done later, usually around mid-May. Sow in the same way as sowing under cover, ensuring the soil is warm.

When planting in their final location, leave 40cm (16in) between each row and 20cm (8in) between each plant in the row. We recommend planting them in different areas of the garden: in the sun for spring harvest and in partial shade for summer harvest.

Cultivation

Chives thrive in the sun or partial shade, in moderately rich soil. If compost is needed, it should be applied in autumn, in the form of well-rotted compost (no manure). Loosen the soil, and then rake in the compost to a depth of 5cm (2in). This plant is quite tolerant of soil pH, and will thrive if it is between 5.5 and 7.5.

Multiplication of chives is very easy and can be done by dividing clumps from March to May and from September to October.