Chives are a cool weather herb that can be grown as an annual or a perennial. To harvest the seeds, allow the flowers to go to seed and then cut the flower heads off when they are dry. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place until you are ready to plant them.
- Chives are a perennial herb in the onion family that produces small, violet flowers
- The flowers bloom in early summer and are followed by seed pods
- To harvest chive seeds, wait until the seed pods turn brown and begin to split open
- Then, carefully remove the pods from the plant and place them in a paper bag or container with a lid
- Store the seed pods in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to extract the seeds
- To do so, simply rub the pods between your hands to release the tiny seeds inside
Contents
Chives: How to collect seeds from chives flowers
When Should You Harvest Chive Seeds?
Chives are a member of the onion family and are native to Asia. The plant has a long, slender green stalk and small, white flowers. Chives are grown as an herb and used fresh or dried in cooking.
They have a mild onion flavor and can be used in place of onions in many recipes.
Chives are easy to grow from seed and will germinate in 7-10 days. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date in your area.
Sow seeds on the surface of moistened potting mix or soil and press lightly into the soil. Do not cover the seeds as they need light to germinate. Keep the soil moist but not wet and provide bottom heat if possible (around 70 degrees F).
Once seedlings emerge, thin them so that only one plant remains per pot or cell. Transplant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed, spacing plants 8-12 inches apart in full sun to partial shade locations with rich, well-drained soils. Water regularly during dry periods for best growth and harvests.
Harvest chives by cutting back stems about 1-2 inches above ground level using sharp scissors or knife. New growth will quickly appear making chives a perennial herb that can be harvested several times each season. For drying, cut stems just before flowers open then hang upside down in small bundles in a dark location with good air circulation until dry (1-2 weeks).
What to Do With Chives When They Go to Seed?
If you’re like me, you love to have chives in your garden. They add a delicious onion-y flavor to so many dishes! But what do you do when they go to seed?
Here are a few ideas:
1. Cut them back and dry the seeds. Then, you can use them in place of onions in recipes or sprinkle them on top of salads for a little extra flavor.
2. Don’t cut them back! Let them go to seed and then harvest the seeds when they’re mature. You can use the seeds in the same way as mentioned above.
3. Use the entire plant – seeds, flowers, and all! The flowers are edible and make a beautiful garnish for salads or other dishes. The immature seeds can be used like fresh herbs, while the mature seeds can be used as mentioned above.
How Do You Harvest Garlic Chive Seeds?
If you want to harvest garlic chive seeds, you’ll need to let the plants flower and then go to seed. To do this, simply stop cutting the chives back in late spring or early summer. Once the flowers start to fade, cut the seed heads off of the plant and dry them in a cool, dark place.
Once they’re completely dry, you can store them in an airtight container until you’re ready to plant them. When planting, make sure to space the seeds about 12 inches apart so that they have room to grow.
What Does a Chive Seed Look Like?
Chive seeds are small, black and glossy. They have a mild onion flavor and are used as a seasoning in many dishes. When dried, they can be ground into a powder and used as a spice.
Chives are a member of the Allium family, which also includes onions, garlic, leeks and shallots. The scientific name for chives is Allium schoenoprasum.
Credit: getbusygardening.com
How to Grow Chives from Seed
If you’re looking to add some flavor to your cooking, then look no further than chives! These herbs are super easy to grow from seed, so anyone can do it. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to grow chives from seed:
1. Start by soaking your chive seeds in water for 24 hours. This will help them germinate faster.
2. Once they’ve soaked, plant the seeds in a pot or container filled with soil.
Make sure the pot has drainage holes at the bottom.
3. Place the pot in a sunny spot and keep the soil moist but not soggy. In about 2-3 weeks, you should see little sprouts coming up!
4. Once the sprouts are a few inches tall, you can start harvesting them by snipping off the leaves with scissors.
Conclusion
If you want to harvest chive seeds, it’s best to wait until the flowers have died back and the seed heads are dry. Cut off the seed heads and put them in a paper bag. Then, shake the bag gently to release the seeds.
Store the seeds in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to plant them.