Description

Chives are a perennial grass-like, mildish onion-flavored herb. The leaves are the actual herb but the plant produces miniature purple allium flowers. Both the flowers and leaves can be chopped and used in chicken, fish, egg or cheese dishes, soups, salads, or as a garnish. Plant chives in well-drained, moist soil in full to partial shade in pots or directly in the ground. Harvest as needed, cutting the leaves from the base of the plant, encouraging further growth. If using the flower as a decorative garnish, snip the head off but not the stem as the shoots of flowering stems are not edible. Chives are best used fres but can be frozen and used later in cooked dishes but may lose some flavour and texture.