Days To Maturity: 
Days To Germination: 10-14
Planting Depth:   1/4 inch
Spacing, Plant:  18 inches
Light:  Warm Sunny Location

SOWING:  Start seeds outdoors after all danger of frost has passed.  For early plants, seed indoors from March to April. Seed directly outdoors May through September.  Plant spacing: 18 inches.  Planting depth 1/4 inch.  Keep soil moderately moist during germination.

THINNING AND TRANSPLANTING:  When plants are about 2 inches high, thin to 12-18 inches apart. Carefully replant thinned seedlings.  

HARVEST:  Can be harvested continuously once mature. For best flavor and texture harvest prior to flowering.  Snip leaves at the base of the plant to encourage growth.  Leaves can also be dried for later use.   Freezes well in airtight containers or plastic bags.

SUGGESTIONS:  Keep a few plants near the kitchen door for easy access.  Plants can also be grown indoors on a windowsill during the winter months.  Easy to grow in open ground or in containers.  Divide plants every two years to increase production.

CHIVES
Allium schoenoprasum

Perennial. Permanent-Plant. Narrow, grass-like leaves have mild onion-like flavor. A bulb spreads and forms clumps of tubular leaves 12-18 inches high. Very showy in full bloom with ball-shaped lavender-pink flowers. No garden is complete without chives. Leaves are ideal to use for flavoring salads, eggs, potatoes, cheese dips, casseroles, soups or stews. Also used in dips, sauces or with cottage cheese. Young flower blossoms can be used as edible garnish. Cut leaves quickly grow back. Freezes well in airtight containers or plastic bags. Easy to grow. Chives are easy to start and can last for years. For early plants, seed indoors from March to April. Seed directly outdoors May through September.