Question on Chives

I have 2 large sections of chives, each about as big around as if you held your arms out in front of you and joined your hands to make a hoop (pretty big!). They are flowering and really neat and look nice in dried form as well. We never did anything to them over the winter and just let them go and the bigger stems are pretty bitter and not that good tasting. Should I shear the whole mess of them this fall and they will grown back? If I cut them, how low to the ground do I do that.

Oh, I was on Nature Hills website and their description of chives says 12" tall. Mine are closer to 2 feet tall!

This message was edited Jul 1, 2006 9:24 AM

From what I have read about chives (fairly limited mind you) is the flowers are edible along with the leaves. I think I would cut back the large, bitter stems and allow the rest of the plant to have the energy currently being used by the large leaves that you will not be harvesting for eating. This is the info I have, you can "propagate chives by digging them in the fall. Cut each clump into sections and replant the sections in a new site." (Ortho's All About Vegetables, pg. 65). You can also put a clump in a pot to keep in a sunny windowsill for use throughout the winter. I am also reading they will produce a new crop when the weather cools and will tend to go dormant midsummer. I don't know about shearing them or how close to the ground you would go. If you have a lot I would try it on a few small areas and see what happens but I like to learn new things by experimentation. I hope this helps a little! Good luck and keep us posted on the outcome.
-Stacey

You can shear them at any time of the year really. Just cut them low to the ground and the new growth won't have the bitterness the old stems are having. Chives are really hardy so don't worry about taking too much off at once. ( I just cut mine down to the ground today).

As stated in earlier post if you want to divide them wait until the fall.

Great! I'll cut them tonight. I am not seeing much new growth, and since they go dormant midsummer, this will be a good time. Perfect selection on putting a clump inside for the winter too!

Thanks for all the help! There is limited stuff online to help with chives. It's just not a "sexy" plant I guess LOL