Chives
Couldn't load pickup availability
Description
Chives Seeds
If you only have space for one herb, make it Chives. This tough little member of the onion family offers a mild, fresh onion flavour that enhances eggs, potato salads, and soups without the harshness of raw onion.
This is a "plant once, harvest forever" crop. It is a hardy perennial that forms neat clumps of tubular leaves, returning faithfully every spring. In early summer, it produces stunning purple pom-pom flowers that are not only a magnet for bees but are completely edible—sprinkle the florets over a salad for a gourmet, chef-style finish.
Read More
🌿 Understanding the Plant
Chives are a **Hardy Perennial**.
They die back to the ground in winter and re-emerge in early spring. They grow from tiny bulbs that multiply underground, meaning your clump gets bigger and better every year.
The "Pollinator Magnet": Chives are fantastic for wildlife. The nectar-rich purple flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hoverflies, making them a great companion plant for fruit and veg.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
Chives are incredibly easy to grow from seed.
Germination:
Sow indoors in spring, or directly outdoors from March to May. Sow seeds thinly into drills and cover lightly with 0.5cm of soil. Keep moist. Germination takes 14-21 days.
Where to Sow:
They like sun or partial shade. They are not fussy about soil but prefer it to be moist. They are perfect for pots, window boxes, or edging a vegetable bed.
Care While Growing:
The "Haircut": Don't be afraid to harvest! Regular cutting encourages fresh, tender new growth. If the leaves get tough in mid-summer, cut the whole clump down to 5cm, water well, and it will regrow in weeks.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Allium schoenoprasum |
| Common Name | Chives |
| Hardiness | H6 (Very Hardy Perennial) |
| Light Required | Sun or Partial Shade ⛅ |
| Height | ↕️ 30cm - 40cm |
| Spread | ↔️ 30cm (Clumping) |
| Spacing | 🌱 25cm apart |
| Great for | 🥗 Salads & Garnishes 🐝 Bees 🥕 Carrot Companion 🏺 Window Boxes |
| Seed Count | Approx. 200 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
Chives are excellent "companion plants" that help protect their neighbours:
- 🥕 Carrots: The Protector. The strong onion scent of chives is said to confuse the Carrot Root Fly, masking the scent of the carrots. Plant chives in rows between your carrots.
- 🌹 Roses: The Folklore Friend. Gardeners have planted chives under roses for centuries, believing they prevent Blackspot fungus and deter aphids. Plus, the purple flowers look lovely against pink roses.
📅 Sowing & Harvesting Calendar
Sow Spring/Autumn. Harvest Spring to Autumn.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Outdoors | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | ||||||||
| Harvest | ✂️ | ✂️ | ✂️ | ✂️ | ✂️ | ✂️ | ✂️ |
⚠️ Edible Flowers
The purple pom-pom flowers are 100% edible. Pull the florets apart and sprinkle them over potato salad or omelettes for a mild onion flavour and a beautiful pop of colour.
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
Chives are one of the most valuable plants for biodiversity. They bloom early in the summer, providing a vital nectar source for bees when other flowers are still developing.
Delivery & Returns
Delivery:
Delivery to mainland UK is calculated at checkout. For all other areas and large orders please ask for a quote. Orders will be sent by express next day delivery (DPD). They will be dispatched on a next working day service, with the exception of Ireland where it may take two days. Please allow up to 48 hours for delivery in the UK as the couriers may have already been and collected on the day you send your order in. Smaller orders for pouches, pockets, bags and pots may be sent via Royal Mail delivery. Please ensure you supply an email address and a mobile so you can be updated about your delivery. Should you have any problems with your delivery, please contact us at sales@naturalgrower.co.uk.Special Deliveries
Saturday or weekday morning deliveries can be arranged, but there will be a surcharge. Please contact us to request a price for either of these delivery services. If you need a parcel sending outside of the UK, please contact us for a quote.Returns:
If you are not completely happy with any product that you have ordered from us, you may return it to us in its original condition any time within 14 calendar days from the date of dispatch. Products must be returned in their original condition. Please contact us at sales@naturalgrower.co.uk to arrange a return. If you return a product by post, you will need to pay the costs of returning the product to us and obtain proof of posting.
Be a smarter gardener
Gardening organically is a more affordable and long term alternative to using chemical fertilisers. Natural Grower products eliminate waste because the nutrients are slowly released to the plants as they need them. Over the long-term you save money because your soil health naturally improves, which in turn produces healthier, stronger, disease resistant plants. Chemical products may cost less financially in the short term, but they don’t provide any long-term benefits and the damage they do to the natural eco-system in the soil is costly.
Slow release for sustained growth
Organic fertilisers are broken down slowly by organisms in the soil to produce a more measured, consistent, natural release of nutrients. This results in uniform growth with strong stems and leaves, unlike chemical fertilisers which provide a sudden boost resulting in tall lanky plants. Stronger plants are more resistant to disease, and with the presence of mycorrizhal fungi to strengthen the roots, the plants, soil and fungi all work together long-term to create the perfect natural eco-system.
Love your land
The organic matter in Natural Grower will help keep your soil or compost in optimum condition, retain moisture over the dry summer months and improve the health and structure of your soil. The presence of natural Mycorrhizal fungi in our products enhances root growth, enabling plants to extract nutrients and absorb water more efficiently from the soil or compost. By using our products you will be supporting and enhancing the natural eco-system in the soil.
Embrace sustainability
Natural Grower’s chemical free fertiliser products are approved organic, biodynamic and vegan. Plant-based and free from chemicals they are safe to use around wildlife, pets and children. Eco-friendly and sustainably produced in the UK. Our packaging is made from recycled plastic where possible and is all 100% recyclable. We are always happy to refill used containers, and often sell our products in reused containers or slightly damaged packaging at a reduced price. Reduce, reuse, recycle.
