Garlic Chives

Garlic Chives — variety description

Garlic Chives (Allium tuberosum) is a perennial herb of the Onion family (Amaryllidaceae). Garlic chives are the ideal herb for those who do not want to miss the aromatic taste of garlic but do not want its strong smell. In addition, it is extremely easy to care for and thrives not only in garden beds, but also in a pot on the windowsill or in containers.

The plant is great to use in the kitchen and also beautiful to look at, as it forms delicate white flowers that are subtly fragrant all summer long.

It prefers full sun in a sunny spot. Ideally the plant should be in full sun for half the day, but it can also cope with partly shaded places.

On the other hand, wild garlic does not want to stand in complete shade. The soil should be rich in humus and nutrients. In addition, this tasty herb likes evenly moist soil.

Cut the stalks 2 fingers’ width above the ground; the flowers are also edible and can be picked.

Garlic chives are perennial. Therefore overwintering the plant is easy, and it withstands temperatures down to -20 °C. In spring the plant comes up again by itself and you will enjoy fresh garlic chives at home for many years.

Garlic chives and chives give fine stalks with a mild onion-garlic aroma — for salads, eggs and dairy sauces. They are perennial and flower beautifully.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 78%
• Seeds per packet: 204–276 pcs (0.8 g)
• Seed origin: Poland
• Sowing: March – June; direct or transplants
• Flowering: June – September
• Harvest: May – October
• Position: sun to partial shade

When to sow Garlic Chives

Garlic Chives seeds are sown in March – June. The plants flower from June to September. Harvest in May – October. 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 Garlic Chives

• Sowing method: direct or seedlings
• Depth: 0.5–1 cm
• Spacing: 20 cm
• Germination: 10–14 days at 15–20 °C
• Position: sun to partial shade

Garlic chives can be sown either in pots in a greenhouse, on a windowsill, or directly outdoors later. The best time to start sowing is from late March. The seedlings can then be planted in the garden bed from mid-May. Direct sowing outdoors can be done from April to August. The sowing depth is 2 cm, 25 cm apart and then cover the seeds well. Water often until the seeds germinate. Harvest time: spring to autumn. In a pot on the windowsill it can be harvested all year round. Use scissors or a knife when harvesting.

Sow in spring; water regularly and trim off the flowers if you want more leaves.

Harvest and use

Cut the stalks 3–5 cm above the ground — they will regrow.

Frequently asked questions

When should Garlic Chives be sown?

The recommended months for sowing are March – June. Sowing method: direct or seedlings.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 204–276 seeds, pack size 0.8 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 78%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.