It is one of the most common herbs that is grown in every herb garden! They are more pleasing in taste (they actually have a taste) when they are used fresh! The leaves can be snipped anytime after the plant is about 6" tall-cutting close to
the ground-leaving about 2". I found the best way to store chives is by freezing the chopped pieces flat on a cookie sheet. After completely frozen, scoop them up into a plastic zip-type bag. Doing it this way gives you the ability to use as needed. It also retains the flavor.
Chives do not need alot of care. You may want to divide up the clumps every couple of years to share with your friends. It's a great way to start a friends herb garden! You can let chives go into bloom-collecting the blue flowers for salads and vinegars.
You can bring a pot of chives into the kitchen for "winter harvesting"-wonderful on those baked potatoes!
Chives are in the Liliaceae family. Other varieties of chives include garlic chives, which flavors like a mild garlic and society garlic chives, which, I am told will give me s spiral curly-q thing that I will be able to use in my dried flower arrangements. I haven't gotten that far with
this plant yet, I will see at the end of this summer, for my plant will then be at the end of it's first complete year in its spot. They are mainly used for culinary purposes, however, they are a great blood cleanser. They're not used in aromatherapy due to the odor but are used in some medical preparations for colds and coughs.
Write to me, Kathie Schmitt!