Do chives spread and take ove SFG?

jbh29 4/11/2011, 4:46 pm

I have chives in an area of my yard I want to clean up. Over the years they have really spread and I don't want to put anything in my SFG that will become a "weed".

But I also just read that chives are a good companion plant to keep bugs away. What to do???

Old Hippie 4/11/2011, 5:42 pm

They are relatively easy to keep under control if you snip off most of the flowers. I have one bunch in one square of my herb garden. One year I didn't do that and I had chives coming up everywhere for a while the next spring.

The main clump is usually pretty manageable but does spread slowly. Every couple of years I dig parts up and donate them to plant sales.

Gwynn

nancy 4/11/2011, 6:35 pm

Someone planted them before I lived here and I am suffering the consequences!! Mine spread like wildfire and have taken nearly a quarter of my yard. I would give them their own box - or please come dig up mine. They are yours for the taking!

Seriously though, if you know where you've planted them, I imagine they would be easy to control. Mine were out of control before I got here. Sad

Nonna.PapaVino 4/11/2011, 6:54 pm

Have you seen what the grocery stores charge for a little 4" square pot of chives? Nancy, you're sitting on a small fortune! Personally, I grow two kinds of chives, a 12" square of regular chives, and two Chinese chive clumps as the center of two multi-purpose large decorative pots on the deck near the kitchen. Along with the chives, the pots contain thyme, and basil (though basil is not yet transplanted to the pots--too cold yet). We eat chopped chives in so many things, even pull off the flowers and toss them into salads, arrange snippets of both leaves and flowers on deviled eggs, in fact, some chive leaves are chopped and awaiting to become a garnish and flavor to today's soup. Just don't let them go to waste!

jbh29 4/11/2011, 8:05 pm

We do love chives in many things too. Even my kids like them. So, do I understand that they only can spread by seeding themselves out and if you keep the flowers clipped they won't go far?

Just double checking.

Nonna.PapaVino 4/11/2011, 8:29 pm

Another great use for chives is in Oriental spring rolls, just add a couple of long chive leaves to the bean threads, shredded greens and whatever you usually wrap in the springroll. Delish! Here's a url for such a recipe, though I use bean threads (soy bean noodles) instead of fine rice noodles. http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/vietnamese-fresh-spring-rolls/Detail.aspx Also another excuse to grow one's own Thai basil! as if we really needed an excuse.

Old Hippie 4/11/2011, 8:48 pm

Yes. If you keep the flowers clipped the main clump usually just spreads very slowly. At least that is how mine are.

The flowers are edible so there is no need to throw them away. Just snip them off and wash them. I keep them in a damp paper towel in a baggy in the frig. The look great in a salad.

Gwynn

Nonna.PapaVino 4/11/2011, 8:50 pm

Gwynn, ye are a lady after me own heart! Looks like you enjoy cooking with what you grow as much as I do. You go, gal! Nonna

jbh29 4/11/2011, 9:13 pm

I didn't know the flowers could be eaten. I can't wait to try them on our salads.

So, one decision down... cheers

Chives are going straight into one of my beds.

westie42 4/12/2011, 3:01 am

If you have the garlic chives that have flat stems you can have a spreading problem. If you let the flower tops on them mature into seeds and they fall to the ground when mature they will spread like wildfire. The garlic chives has a white flower and does smell like garlic even from a small distance. My regular chives with round stems have never done that they just slowly expand the clump size. They have a lavender or pinkish colored flower and may double in clump size every 2-3 years in my garden so I just divide them and start new clumps in a new spot or give them away. One of my favorite uses is to snip them into very small lengths and mix into cottage cheese. Stems from the flat leaf garlic chives make a reasonable garlic substitute.

jbh29 4/12/2011, 10:15 pm

My stems are round / pink flowers. I did end up puting 4 small groupings in one bed today. I couldn't bear to trash the rest, so I moved them to an area where they can spread if they want. I imagine that is a gardener's sickness... not even being able to throw away a plant that you don't need or want any more! Rolling Eyes

Mirjam 4/13/2011, 4:51 am

I put some chives in the garden about six years ago, and they're still in the same spot, only much bigger... No volunteers anywhere else in the garden, so I think it's safe.

cabinfever 4/14/2011, 11:03 am

You can make Chive Blossom Vinegar. Put the blossoms in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid. Fill the jar with white vinegar and set in a cool, dark place to marinate till fall. You can continue to add blossoms as you get them. Strain the vinegar when it's done and it will be a pretty pinky color! You can dry a few of the blooms to add to the final product. I found this idea in a book I read recenty and plan to try it! Bet it would make an awesome vinegrette!

I love my chives! They are the easiest thing to grow!

Nonna.PapaVino 4/14/2011, 11:39 am

Cabinfever, thanks for the chive blossom vinegar idea. I've used purple basil to make a delicious and pretty vinegar, but never thought of chive. Now I'll be on the lookout for the beginning of chive blossom season!

herblover 4/16/2011, 10:04 am

Chive blossom vinegar is not only pretty, but makes the best vinegar to use in potato salad!

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