Garlic Chives

Soil

Any average, well drained soil.

Position

Full sun to partial afternoon shade.

Frost tolerant

Garlic chives are hardy perennials that survive winter even in very cold climates.

Feeding

Not generally needed.

Companions

Oregano, Thyme, Carrot, Tomato, Grape Vine and Rose. Also, other mound-forming herbs.

Spacing

Single Plants: 5" (15cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 5" (15cm) with 7" (20cm) row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Start with a purchased plant, or start seeds indoors and set out at about the time of your last frost. Plants spaced 6 inches (15 cm) apart will grow into a solid mass in 3 years.

Notes

Garlic chives produce white, lightly scented flowers in late summer. Gather them for use as cut flowers to keep garlic chives from reseeding. Like regular chives, garlic chives can become invasive.

Harvesting

Do not harvest in the first year. In spring, gather handfuls of greens for use in the kitchen. The leaves become somewhat tough in summer.

Troubleshooting

Deadhead garlic chives to limit reseeding.