{"product_id":"chives","title":"Chives","description":"\u003ch2\u003eShort Summary for Chives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChives are a popular \u003cstrong\u003eperennial herb\u003c\/strong\u003e that produce slender, grass-like green leaves with a \u003cstrong\u003emild onion flavour\u003c\/strong\u003e.  The fresh leaves are excellent for salads, soups, sauces, potatoes, egg dishes and garnishing.  Chives are easy to grow in \u003cstrong\u003egarden beds or containers\u003c\/strong\u003e and perform well in full sun or semi-shade.  Plants can be harvested approximately \u003cstrong\u003e90–120 days\u003c\/strong\u003e after sowing and will continue producing fresh leaves when regularly cut.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting Instructions for Chives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGeneral Sowing Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuitable for sowing during \u003cstrong\u003espring, summer, autumn and winter\u003c\/strong\u003e, depending on local growing conditions.  Chives are hardy and can be grown throughout much of the year in mild climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in \u003cstrong\u003efull sun or semi-shade\u003c\/strong\u003e.  Full sun generally encourages strong, compact growth, while some afternoon shade can be beneficial in very hot areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable Space:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuitable for \u003cstrong\u003egarden beds, raised beds and containers\u003c\/strong\u003e. Chives are compact and are an excellent herb for small gardens, patios and kitchen gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSow Depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSow seeds approximately \u003cstrong\u003e0.5–1 cm deep\u003c\/strong\u003e and cover lightly with fine soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpace plants approximately \u003cstrong\u003e6 cm apart\u003c\/strong\u003e, with rows approximately \u003cstrong\u003e15 cm apart\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants generally grow approximately \u003cstrong\u003e20–40 cm tall\u003c\/strong\u003e, forming attractive clumps of slender green leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLeaf Characteristics:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProduces \u003cstrong\u003eslender, hollow, grass-like green leaves\u003c\/strong\u003e with a delicate onion flavour. The leaves are best used fresh and can be repeatedly harvested throughout the growing season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeeds generally germinate within \u003cstrong\u003e7–14 days\u003c\/strong\u003e under suitable conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Harvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApproximately \u003cstrong\u003e90–120 days\u003c\/strong\u003e from sowing to a mature harvest. Small amounts of leaves may be harvested earlier once plants are well established.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChives grow well in temperatures of approximately \u003cstrong\u003e10°C–25°C\u003c\/strong\u003e and generally prefer cool to mild growing conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep the soil \u003cstrong\u003econsistently moist but not waterlogged\u003c\/strong\u003e.  Regular watering encourages tender, fresh leaf growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFertilizing:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrow in fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost or organic matter. Apply a \u003cstrong\u003ebalanced fertilizer\u003c\/strong\u003e occasionally during active growth to encourage healthy leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePests\/Diseases:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChives are generally easy to maintain but should be monitored for aphids, thrips and onion-related fungal diseases.  Good airflow and well-drained soil help keep plants healthy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvesting:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCut leaves approximately \u003cstrong\u003e2–5 cm above the base\u003c\/strong\u003e using clean scissors.  Regular harvesting encourages fresh new growth.  Avoid removing the entire plant at once if you want continued production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn summary:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChives are an easy-to-grow \u003cstrong\u003eperennial herb\u003c\/strong\u003e producing slender green leaves with a delicious mild onion flavour.  They are ideal for containers and garden beds and provide repeated harvests of fresh leaves for salads, soups, sauces and garnishing.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Seeds4You","offers":[{"title":"50 Seeds","offer_id":49011516997854,"sku":"HER014","price":20.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0729\/9894\/4990\/files\/chives.png?v=1788967433","url":"https:\/\/seeds4you.co.za\/products\/chives","provider":"Seeds 4 You (Pty) Ltd","version":"1.0","type":"link"}