Garlic chives

[Robert_Brenchley]

Does anyone know when to plant these?

[Robert_Brenchley]

[Ian Pearson]

Plant or sow? They are hardy perennials, so if planting, they can be done anytime. If sowing seed they will probably germinate if sown indoors, but personally I'd leave it a for a few weeks, as later sowings will probably catch up.
If sown, they take a year or so for plants to bulk up enough to be worth harvesting, so it is best to scrounge some plants from someone else, and divide them for transplants.

[Chrispy]

Like most things in the spring, thats March to May acording to my seed packet.
I will be sowing these this year. It says sow direct on the packet, but with our heavy soil I don't like doing that.
If I sow in pots/trays/modules, what is the best?

[star]

I tried sowing outdoors last year.....they didn't germinate. Tried some more from the same seed packet in the heated propagater and they germinated well. They do better with bottom heat. ;)

[Robert_Brenchley]

Sorry, I should have said sow. I'll do it when the weather warms up.

[Ian Pearson]

Multi-sowing in modules works well - perhaps 8 to 12 seeds in a large module or small pot. When planted out (about 9" spacing) this will grow in to a nice clump just right for harvesting all at once as a bunch. After about 2-3 years its best to divide the clumps to stop them getting too congested.

By the way, the flowers are edible if you like a really strong oniony flavour.  If you don't pick the flowers they will self-seed and become a weed!

[lottiedolly]

Multi-sowing in modules works well - perhaps 8 to 12 seeds in a large module or small pot. When planted out (about 9" spacing) this will grow in to a nice clump just right for harvesting all at once as a bunch. After about 2-3 years its best to divide the clumps to stop them getting too congested.

By the way, the flowers are edible if you like a really strong oniony flavour.  If you don't pick the flowers they will self-seed and become a weed!

I did not know that and mine have been in the same place for 3 years they flower and everything, but have not spread

[greensausage]

Im hoping to grow Garlic Chives this year, so that you for the extra info.