Chives in Zone 5B — Midwest

Chives are a fantastic addition to any Midwest garden. Their mild onion flavor elevates everything from scrambled eggs to summer salads, and they're so easy to grow! Plus, the purple blooms are a welcome sight in the garden, attracting pollinators.

Midwest weather can be unpredictable, with cold winters and the occasional summer heat spell. But don't worry! With our fertile soil and a 168-day growing season, Chives thrive here if you time your planting right.

Starting Chives indoors isn't essential, but it gives you a head start. If you're eager for an early harvest, sow seeds indoors from early to late February. This gives them about 8 weeks to get going before transplanting.

Use seed trays with a good seed-starting mix. Make sure to keep them warm and provide plenty of light, either from a grow light or a sunny windowsill. Bottom watering is great for seedlings to avoid damping off. Keep in mind that spring can be variable, so indoor starting helps you control the environment.

Transplant your Chives seedlings outdoors mid April through early May, after the worst of any late frost risk has passed. Before transplanting, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This helps them adjust to the Midwest weather.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and space them 8-12 inches apart. While starting from seed is rewarding, remember that buying Chives starts from a local nursery or dividing existing clumps is often faster.

Direct sowing Chives is a perfectly viable option, especially if you're not in a rush. Sow seeds directly into the garden from late March through early July. While the soil is still cool, they can take a long time to germinate.

Prepare the soil by loosening it and removing any weeds. Sow seeds about ¼ inch deep and keep the soil consistently moist. Space the seeds roughly 8-12 inches apart. Just be aware that Chives are slow to establish from seed, so divisions or starts are quicker if you want an immediate harvest.

Chives need moderate and consistent watering to thrive in the Midwest. With our moderate-to-humid summers and periods of rainfall, it's important to find the right balance. They are more tolerant of moisture than most other herbs.

During the spring and fall, when temperatures are cooler, water deeply about once a week, or when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch—use the finger test! In the heat of summer, especially during summer heat spells, you might need to water every few days. Aim for about 1 inch of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation.

Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage fungal diseases in our humid climate. Signs of underwatering include wilting and yellowing leaves. Overwatering can lead to bulb rot, so make sure the soil is well-draining. Adding a layer of mulch around the plants helps retain moisture and suppress weeds, which is especially helpful with our wet-summer rainfall.

You can expect your first Chives harvest from mid June through mid October. The leaves are ready to harvest when they're at least 6 inches tall. Cut the leaves about 1-2 inches above the base of the plant. This encourages new growth.

Harvest regularly to keep the plant productive. Snip off what you need with scissors or garden shears. The more you harvest, the more they'll grow! As the first frost approaches in early October, give your Chives a final trim. You can also dig up some clumps to overwinter indoors for fresh herbs all winter long.

Here are some common problems you might encounter with Chives in the Midwest:

Onion Fly

• What it looks like: Wilting or yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and small white maggots near the base of the plant.
• What causes it: Onion flies lay their eggs near the base of onion-family plants. The maggots then burrow into the bulbs and feed.
• How to fix/prevent it: Use row covers to prevent flies from laying eggs. Remove and destroy any infested plants. Encourage beneficial insects like parasitic wasps.

Rust

• What it looks like: Rusty orange, yellow, or brown pustules on leaves and stems, mostly on undersides. Leaves yellow and drop prematurely.
• What causes it: Various rust fungi that spread via wind-borne spores. Favored by warm, humid conditions with moisture on leaves.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove affected leaves. Avoid overhead watering. Improve air circulation. Apply sulfur or copper fungicide. Don't work among wet plants. Rotate crops.

Bulb Rot in Wet Soil

• What it looks like: Yellowing or browning leaves, mushy bulbs, and a foul odor.
• What causes it: Overwatering or poorly draining soil creates conditions where fungal and bacterial pathogens thrive.
• How to fix/prevent it: Plant Chives in well-draining soil. Avoid overwatering. Improve soil drainage by adding compost or other organic matter.

Midwest Specific Challenges: Our moderate-to-hot heat and moderate-to-humid humidity can create favorable conditions for fungal diseases like rust and bulb rot. Be vigilant about watering practices and air circulation to keep your Chives healthy.

Chives are great companions for many plants in the Midwest garden! Carrots benefit because the scent of Chives deters carrot root flies. Tomatoes grow better near chives, which repel aphids and other pests. Roses benefit from the pest-repelling properties of Chives. Grapes are protected from certain fungal diseases when planted near Chives.

Avoid planting Chives near beans-green or peas. Chives can inhibit their growth.