Herb Garden Plants

Allium Schoenoprasum A.Tuberosum (Liliaceae)

Appearance: They resemble trim tufts of grass and are thus ideal for use as a path edging for both the kitchen garden and herb garden. As they mature the leaves become circular and hollow, and reach about 30 to 40 cms (l2 to l5 in) in length. (Giant chives grow a little taller).

Description: Chives (sometimes known as onion chives) are one of the most widely grown herbs, their reliability makes them excellent material for cultivation in pots for yards and balconies, or window—boxes with good drainage. The flavour is refined and onion~like and is best before the plants flower, or in plants that are prevented from flowering.

Chinese chives or garlic chives (Allium tuberosum) form clumps in the same manner as their onion chive cousins, but the grass-like leaves are flat. The flavour is pleasant and close to garlicy. They will grow up to 60 cms (2ft) tall with mauve/pink flower heads all Summer.

Chives are known to attract bees to the garden.

Usage: When chopped as a garnish for cheese and egg dishes, soups, salads, sandwiches and quiches, the grassy strips are added fresh just prior to serving. Chives are rarely used in cooking as the mild flavour is overwhelmed. ln the garden allow at least two or three plants to flower for the sheer beauty of the purple—pink bobbed heads. Place flowers as a garnish in soups or use to decorate the cheese board or cold buffets.Flowers and leaves can be incorporated in salads and herb butters.

According to one of my herb garden information sources, chives are widely held to be a blood cleansing tonic and to fight flu or a cold.

Cultivation: Divide established clumps of bulbs every three years in the spring, and transplant clusters from the outer edges of the clumps. Alternatively, chives can be raised afresh from seed. Although they thrive in any good garden loam, they show a marked preference for slightly acid soil and need to be kept moist throughout the growing season. Choose a place where they can enjoy some shade during the day and remove the flower heads to maintain a continuous supply of flavoursome leaves. The foliage dies down in the winter, so cover a plant or two with dry leaves to encourage a few early spikes for their fresh flavour. Alternatively, pot up a clump of bulblets in the autumn (fall) to keep in a porch or on the apartment windowsill for fresh early spikes. In those regions where the summer temperature remains above 32°C (90°’F) clumps can be planted out afresh in the autumn (fall) to provide a winter supply of leaves.

Harvesting: Although several herb garden information authorities hold mildly differing views on this, you can safely use as required – no special rules apply. The flowering heads appear in Summer and can be used for salads.

Related Blogs

• Your Vegetable Garden Design Depends on Elbow Grease and Soil | Naturally Grown Gardens
• Wine and Cheese Pairing | Health
• Janet Jackson: SHEER Beauty | 888 News
• Rock Garden Soils | Weed Seeds For Sale
• Window Boxes Planters to Improve Outdoor Air » 4thtenor's Home Improvement
• Baby Star Diamond Diaper Burp – Pink Funky Flower « Roderick Montoro
• Sheer Beauty « Wide as the Waters
• I need a quick Chicken Recipe… I only have the spices listed below? | Italian Herb Garden
• When do you start growing Strawberries? | Growing Strawberries Guide
• Hot N Cold Chinese Buffet, Snellville GA « Food Near Snellville