GARLIC CHIVES GROWING INFORMATION

© Frances Michaels

COMMON NAMES: Garlic Chives, Chinese Chives, Kau Tsoi

BOTANICAL NAME: Allium tuberosum syn. A. odoratuml

FAMILY: Alliaceae

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Perennial herb forming dense clumps with grass-like flat leaves rarely taller than 25cm. Each bulb has 4 to 5 leaves. The leaves have a mild garlic flavour, are flat and about 0.5cm wide. The blossom is a flat-headed spray of star-shaped white flowers with a pleasant perfume. Chinese chives are easy to grow and tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions.

USES

• Food; the leaves are used chopped in sauces, soups, salads and as a garnish. Add the chives only in the last few minutes of cooking, as they have a tendency to become stringy if overcooked. The flower buds are also used as a garnish or in Asian cooking.

• Ornamental; decorative edging plant for herb and vegetable gardens.

• Companion plant; garlic chives are believed to be a companion plant for roses and have a repellent effect on aphids.

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS

Recommended Planting Time: Sow seed in mid-spring, or divide clumps in spring or autumn.

Planting Depth: Cover the rhizomes with 2 cm of soil.

Sowing rate:  Plants should be spaced 20 cm apart.

Details: To divide clumps, trim the tops, lift them, trim the roots and separate the rhizomes. Each rhizome can then be replanted. Division every two years improves the vigour of the clumps. Do not allow the plants to set seed unless you want to save seed as this will decrease the vigour of the clump. Seed will only remain viable for one year.

Available from Green Harvest:

July to September 2010

 Also available as seed