Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Know when and what to harvest
• Method 2 of 2: Harvest the chives
• Tips
• Necessities

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) is an herb with endless possibilities. You can use it in salads, soups, with meat dishes, with cheese ... the list does not end. Growing your own chives is great, but knowing when and how to harvest it is important. Read on to learn how to harvest chives.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Know when and what to harvest

1. Select the correct part of the plant. Choose the long, green, hollow leaves. It looks like grass, but it is actually leaves. This is the part of the plant that you want to use in your recipes.
   • The flowers of chives are also edible, but do not have the same flavor as the stems. They are best used to garnish salad or soup.
2. Know when to start harvesting. You can start harvesting when the leaves are long enough to cut.
3. Make sure you have several plants growing at the same time. That is more convenient for harvesting. If you only have one plant, you may be cutting too much of the leaves that haven't grown enough yet. If you have several chive plants, it is best to cut the leaves from one and wait for them to grow back while you harvest the leaves from the other plant.

Method 2 of 2: Harvest the chives

1. Collect the leaves in a bunch. Use sharp, clean scissors to trim the leaves. Do not cut too close to the bulb, or you can ruin the chance of regrowth. Leave about 1 cm on the bulb, just above the ground.
   • Cut from the outside of the grove. This works best with sharp scissors, because then you do not tear the plant, as you could with dull scissors.
   • If you want to keep harvesting them over the winter, put a clump of chives in a pot. Place it on a sunny windowsill. You will then have fresh chives all winter long.
2. Use or keep the chives. If you keep it, you can keep it in the refrigerator for about a week in a sealed plastic bag. You can also freeze them in ice cubes, or you can freeze-dry them.
   • Rinse the chives under cold running water before using it to remove any debris from the garden.
   • Another way to preserve chives is to make chive vinegar. Search the internet for a recipe.
3. Use the chives in a recipe. You can use chives in a salad with tomato, red onion and capers. It is also delicious with sour cream on a baked potato. The possibilities of chives are really limitless!

Tips

• If you want to use the flowers in a salad, pick them when they are open.
• Chives usually grow to about 20 cm high.
• It is advisable to propagate chives every two years. When replanting them, put 8-10 globules together.
• In the fall you can bring in some pots with chives so that you can use it in the winter as well.

Necessities

• Chives (several plants)
• Clean, sharp scissors