Chives Medium-Leaved

Chives Medium-Leaved — variety description

Chives Medium-Leaved (Allium schoenoprasum L.) is a perennial herb of the Onion family (Amaryllidaceae). Chives are a perennial herbaceous plant native to Europe.

Chives are used in soups, scrambled eggs, soft cheeses, mashed potatoes and salads.

Its cylindrical green stems grow to about 15 cm tall. Between May and August it flowers, with blooms ranging from white to purple.

Chives are one of the few herbs that can also grow at higher altitudes – in the Alps – and are therefore an integral part of the cuisine of that region. The larger stems are the most intense, but the thinner ones offer a finer flavour.

Wild onion and ramsons (wild garlic) are perennial woodland bulbs with aromatic leaves that are picked in early spring.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 88%
• Seeds per packet: 433–587 pcs (0.6 g)
• Seed origin: Germany
• Sowing: April and May; direct (cold stratification)
• Flowering: June – August
• Harvest: July and August
• Position: partial shade or shade

When to sow Chives Medium-Leaved

Chives Medium-Leaved seeds are sown in April and May. The plants flower in June – August. The crop is harvested in July and August. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Chives Medium-Leaved

• Sowing method: direct (cold stratification)
• Depth: 1 cm
• Spacing: 10–15 cm
• Germination: from a few weeks to a year
• Position: partial shade or shade

Organic chive seeds can be sown directly outdoors in spring after the last frost. The seeds do not need light to germinate, so they can be covered with up to 0.5 cm of soil. It is recommended to grow chives in small clumps and divide them every two years. Established chives produce small lavender flowers and hollow stems that are edible, smell and have a mild onion taste. The plant is hardy and its leaves are very cold-tolerant.

Sow in autumn in a shady, moist spot — the seeds need winter cold to germinate.

Harvest and use

The leaves are picked in March–April from the second–third year.

Frequently asked questions

When should Chives Medium-Leaved be sown?

The recommended sowing months are April and May. Sowing method: direct (cold stratification).

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 433–587 seeds, pack size 0.6 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 88%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.

Why don’t ramsons seeds come up in spring?

They need cold stratification — sow them in autumn; they often only come up in the second spring.