I’m an onion fanatic, so perennial chives are a must-have in my kitchen garden. The problem is that I still haven’t figured out how many I’d like to repeatedly harvest and how many I’d like to let flower, because the flowers are simply Dr.-Seuss-darling. Okay, there’s more to it than that. The pink and purple pom-pom flowers are downright ornamental and add color to gardens and borders.

These blossoms also attract beneficial insects to the garden such as hover flies and parasitic wasps, which feed on plant enemies. I’m fanatical about this type of planting anyway and I’m always looking for more ways to seduce the good guys to my yard. Beneficial insects aren’t made up soley of predators, the working class, the pollinators, are part of that group, too. Pollinators in your garden means that all your other fruits and veggies get pollinated, as well.

Chives (Allium schenoprasum) can be started from seed in the spring by planting the seeds 1 to 1-1/2 feet apart in little clusters or groups. Or they can be started by dividing mature plants that are best divided every 3 or 4 years anyway. Chives are simple to grow and like all other plants, enjoy some compost dressing every now and again. If you water them deeply, you’ll encourage deep root growth; which you want.

More on chives … • How to Grow Chives • Chives in the Kitchen

When you harvest chives give them a nice, short haircut with sharp scissors or just take a few individual leaves. Then there’s the question of how many blooms to leave outside and how many to bring in because you can always fancy up a salad by tossing in some chive flowers as well as the onion-flavored leaves. If you want to try their more pungent flowers, harvest them when they’re just beginning to open. In the warmer growing zones, it’s possible for chives to grow year-round, but otherwise, they die back come winter and reappear the following spring.

Yes, chives are something I can’t do without in my veggie garden – don’t even get me started on garlic chives (Allium tuberosum)…

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

MULTITASKING DUAL EDGES: a deep serrated edge and a tapered slicing edge ideal for tough or delicate cuts. DURABLE 6-inch stainless steel blade withstands 300 lbs of pressure. TWINE CUTTING NOTCH, DEPTH GAUGE MARKINGS & spear point - no need to switch tools when using this garden knife. LEATHER SHEATH: heavy duty, protective, clip on sheath to keep your knife convenient and secure. LIFETIME WARRANTY.

Buy at Amazon

Ashman Garden Cultivator (1Pack)

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Solid Build—The Ashman Garden Cultivator/Tiller is strong in construction so that it can withstand heavy work in the garden. The blade and the shaft are coupled well for deep digging and uprooting the soil from the depths. It serves the purpose of cultivation very well. Create a blooming crop and watch it blossom and reap the benefits. Sharpened Fine piercing Blade—The blades are razor sharp and are made to pierce into any kind of soil and to serve digging, loosening soil, and weeding. The blades are rust-proof and have chip-resistant coating enhancing durability. Use it to control weeds, bury crop residue in the soil, and for preparing a proper seed bed. High-Quality Design—The thoughtful design incorporated to shape the blades in L shape helps dig deep into the soil and rip it from beneath for cultivation. This helps a lot when weeding. Dig well and plant well. The handle is made to fit in the hand well and can be held tightly to apply push and pull forces effectively. Practical Utility—The garden cultivator is made with “practical utility” as the core of its purpose. It serves all the necessary purposes when gardening. Helps mix soil, which will loosen it up, providing more nutrients for the crops.

Buy at Amazon

Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil.

Buy at Amazon