Harvesting chives »When, how and with what?

Time and tools

Basically, the stalks of the chives can be harvested all year round. Depending on the variety, there are chives with fine, tender and thick shoots. They also differ in terms of taste the different types of chives. It is best to harvest the stalks early in the morning, because this is when they contain their highest concentration of essential oils and are therefore particularly rich in aroma. You can use a sharp and clean knife or scissors for cutting - it is only important not to squeeze or unnecessarily injure the shoots.

Cut the stems about two to three centimeters above the ground to make it easier for the plant to regrow fresh shoots. However, some shoots are split several centimeters above the ground and have practically doubled. If possible, cut these double shoots above the split so that the two shoots are preserved and can continue to grow. When harvesting, make sure not to cut off the shoots indiscriminately, but instead cut off the plant thinning out systematically - the more light and air the individual stalks have, the better the whole thrives Plant. You should use the harvested chives as soon as possible

or freeze fresh. If that is not possible, put the whole stalks in a water glass - this way the chives will keep for a few more days.

Can you use flowering chives?

Chives that bear flowers are hard, taste very bitter and are therefore inedible. For this reason, many people cut off emerging flower stalks as quickly as possible so that they do not reach maturity. You can with regular harvest Blooming of the chives prevent - to do this, however, you should regularly cut all stalks down to three centimeters above the ground.

Flowers and buds are edible

However, this is actually not necessary, because both the distinctive flowers and those that are still tightly closed Buds of the chives are edible. The buds can be made into fake capers by soaking them in vinegar and salt. The flowers are wonderfully suitable for decorating soups and salads, but can otherwise be used just like the shoots of chives. They have a strong, quite sharp aroma, which, however - due to the high nectar content - is also quite sweet. You can wait for the flowering time, harvest flowers and buds and then cut down the stalks vigorously.

Tips & Tricks

You can easily multiply planted garden chives: just let the plant bloom and wait until it has developed its seed heads. Most of the time, chives will sow themselves by themselves, you don't have to do anything to get them.

IJA