Chives

My chives are starting to come up. They are about 2-3 inches tall right now. How soon can I start snipping a few pieces? I love the flavor it adds to food.

Thanks,

Sharon

Sharon, if you have a large planting you can snip a few now. I do that. They grow so fast down here..Lisa

Thanks, Lisa. I just love the flavor they add to food. I really missed them this winter. I've got some seeds sprouting now to grow in a container outside during the summer. I'll bring that container in for the winter.

Sharon

They are good! I just love parsley too. I have a patch growing by my back door. One for the butterflies and one for me! Lisa

Hi Sharon - I have one bunch for snipping and the other for flowering. I love the way these look when they flower! They never seem to mind when I trim them.

How well do they winter-over? Neither my parsley or my chives bloomed last year, their first year. Do they bloom the second year?

The chives come back no problem - parsley here is an annual here.

Thank you, ladies, for your help. I do appreciate it!

Sharon

SMSpear: Chives bloom the 2nd. year as do most perennials. Parsley alot of times is bi-ennial and will bloom the second year and reseed itself. If you love the taste of chives, try chive blossom vinegar--it is delicious made into a vinagerette or salad dressing. Use white vinegar,about 1 pint or 1 quart and a handful of chive blossoms when they are at there peak. Let set in jar for a couple of weeks.It makes the prettiest pink vinegar. You could also put some parsley in with it.

Hi Debby,

Ooh, that sounds really good. I will definitely try that! How about how long will it keep? I'm assuming you need to filter out the blossoms after it sits for several weeks?

Thank you so much,

Sharon

Sharon, Oh I forgot to say strain. I use a coffee filter in a strainer. The vinegar will keep up to a year, or more.

Thanks, Debby! I will definetly try that vinegar if they bloom this summer. Of course, I always have coffee filters around here!

Sharon