Chives
Chives are one of the most popular culinary herbs. The leaves of this plant can be used in a variety of ways. The flowers are edible, and can be used to garnish salads. They are related to the onion and garlic. All of these are in the Allium genus. Most alliums are popular for both their culinary and health-giving properties. Medicinally, the fresh leaves and flowers are used as a mild aid to digestion. Alliums are often good for the blood vessels, keeping them elastic and helping to deter premature aging. Household Uses include making an infusion for a spray that will remove aphids and mildew from garden plants. The alliums that we grow here in the mid south has beautiful pale purple flowers. I love to use these blooms to make a wonderful chive blossom vinegar. The florets give it a pretty pink tint. Other culinary uses include sandwiches and soups, and are a great addition to butter or cream cheese. They are especially good with potatoes and eggs. Also a great addition to chilled vichyssoise or in remoulade sauce. The leaves have a mild onion-like flavor and are the part of the plant that is mainly used for cooking. 
We especially like to use it in our garden as a hedge to create a bit of a formal appearance in our raised herb beds. Planted with tulips and thrift, it makes an inviting spring herb garden.We tend to let the plants bloom because they look so pretty as a hedge, but if you are using them for cooking, it's best to not let them bloom as this will exhaust the plant. Chives should be cut low, about 2 inches, after flowering in order to produce fresh leaves. Garlic Chives (Allium tuberosum) have a mild garlic flavor that may be used if you want a less pungent form of garlic. The use of these alliums was first recorded 4,000 years ago in China. Some even call these type of alliums "Chinese chives". Marco Polo helped to make them popular in the West. Medicinally, they are said to help kidney functions. The garlic variety can be used the same way as and are also easy to grow. They have starry white flowers instead of the purple florets. Both types are also are great for pots on the deck or in window boxes.
How To Grow
Size 4 in to 2 feet (10-60 cm) Placement Sun or partial shade. Use as a single plant or as a hedge. Soil Fertile, moist and well drained. Growing Guidelines Sow seed in spring and divide in fall or spring. Cut down to the ground after flowering to produce a fresh crop of leaves. Remove dead stems in winter. Pest None. Can be used as a companion plant with roses to keep aphids away. Also prevents black spot. Harvesting and Drying Cut as early as you can in the spring. Leaves do not dry well. They loose both their color and flavor. Can be frozen. Best used fresh in cooked dishes. If you do choose to dry them, be sure to do it at a low temperature in the oven with the door propped open with a wooden spoon. Research for this article was obtained from personal experience and "The Book of Herbs". An excellent comprehensive guide to all you need to know about growing and using herbs. For More Information: Herbs Organic Herb Gardening Return to Home Page From Chives
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