Chives, scientific name Allium cepa, is a member of the onion family Amaryllis, which produces fragrant, aromatic leaves and flowers as well as edible stalks. Its close botanical relatives include the English onion, shallots, garlic, leek, and scallions. It was considered by the ancient Greeks and Romans to have several healing qualities and was used in medical treatments for wounds and other conditions. In fact, chives is one of the most common ingredients in ancient Greek and Roman remedies for soothing and healing cuts, bruises, and rashes.
If you’re growing your chives plant from seed, there are several things you can do to improve its taste and aroma before planting. You can start by clipping any dead or damaged growths to improve the appearance of the herb. Water the plants just before the soil starts to dry out if you’re going to make a salad. If you’re going to use the herb as an herb garden, be sure to mulch it to protect the roots.
Chives have many healthy benefits, especially for those who want to enhance the flavor of their food. Chives has been used as a natural alternative to adding salt to soups, sauces, salads, and more to retain the flavor and freshness of what you’re cooking. Chives also provide vitamin C, iron, manganese, and other trace elements that are good for your diet. If you grow your own fresh chives plant, you can enjoy these wonderful health benefits year round.
However, the most popular way to eat fresh chives is in their raw form. For example, you can cut off the top of a head of fresh chives, shave off the tops, and then add them to your food right away. Raw chives are often used as a garnish, with herbs such as Rosemary and garlic. There are also a variety of ways to cook chives, making them a great addition to your dinner table. Many recipes include chives with chicken, red meat, or fish. Other options include adding chives to soups or stews, or making herb tea with chives.
Chives do not grow tall but instead grow in groups of close-to-distant growth. Some plants grow up to six feet high and have clumps of several feet across. Some varieties only grow to two to three feet tall, while other varieties may reach four feet. You should be able to easily grow these plants in pots on the window sill of your home, in pots on a deck, in large containers or tubs, and in the ground in traditional gardens.
If you are looking for a hardy perennial herb that is durable and can handle being outdoors for a long period of time, then onion chives is just right for you. These little plants grow up to one foot in height and produce up to six tons of flowers each year. Chives is a favorite of many, but they are often overlooked by gardeners because of their small size. They are an easy plant to grow and are very forgiving when you don’t water them enough or fertilize them correctly. If you are looking for a plant that can stand alone, but is not at the height of spinach or tomatoes, then chives is the one for you.