Chives in Zone 7B — Texas

Chives are a fantastic, easy-to-grow addition to any Texas garden. Their mild onion flavor adds a fresh zing to everything from eggs to tacos, and they're incredibly prolific, giving you harvests throughout our long growing season. Plus, the purple flowers are a treat for the eyes and the pollinators.

Our unpredictable Texas weather can throw curveballs, but chives are pretty resilient. With a growing season that stretches for about 255 days, you'll have plenty of time to get them established and enjoy their flavorful bounty.

Starting chives indoors gives you a head start, but honestly, it's not usually necessary here in Texas. If you're itching to get going extra early, you can start seeds indoors from late December through mid January, about eight weeks before you plan to transplant.

Use seed trays with good drainage and a quality seed-starting mix. Keep them warm (around 70°F) and provide plenty of light – a grow light works wonders. Bottom watering is key to prevent damping off; just set the tray in a shallow dish of water until the top of the soil is moist. With our early springs, you can get a jump, but direct sowing is often just as effective.

Transplanting chives outdoors in Texas happens around late February through late March. Before you move them, harden them off for about a week by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions. This prevents transplant shock.

Space your chive plants about 8-12 inches apart in well-draining soil. Keep an eye on the weather; those late freezes can still sneak up on us! Honestly, though, buying established starts from a local nursery or dividing existing clumps is a much faster way to get a thriving patch of chives.

Direct sowing chives is a simple and effective method, especially with our long growing season. You can sow seeds directly into the garden from early February through mid August.

Prepare your soil by loosening it and removing any rocks or debris. Chives prefer a soil temperature of at least 60°F for good germination. Sow seeds about ¼ inch deep and 8-12 inches apart. Be patient; chives are notoriously slow to establish from seed. Again, divisions or starts will give you a quicker harvest.

Chives need consistent moisture, but they don’t like soggy feet. In our Texas climate, that means paying close attention to your watering schedule.

During the spring and fall, when temperatures are milder, aim for about 1 inch of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation. In the heat of the summer, especially during those stretches of 97°F+ days, you might need to increase that to 1.5-2 inches per week. Stick your finger about 2 inches deep into the soil; if it feels dry, it’s time to water. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage fungal diseases in our sometimes humid conditions.

Signs of underwatering include wilting or yellowing leaves. Overwatering can lead to bulb rot, so watch out for soft, mushy bulbs. A layer of mulch around your chives helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, which is especially helpful in the Texas heat.

You can expect your first chive harvest around early May through late November, about 80 days after planting from seed. Look for leaves that are at least 6 inches tall.

To harvest, simply snip the leaves about 1-2 inches above the base of the plant. This encourages new growth. Chives are continuous producers, so you can harvest regularly throughout the growing season. Divide clumps every 3 years to maintain vigor.

As the first frost approaches in mid- November, don't despair! You can still harvest any remaining chives. Chop and freeze them for use throughout the winter. They won't be quite as vibrant as fresh, but they'll still add a welcome burst of flavor to your cooking.

Here are some common problems you might encounter growing chives in Texas:

Onion Fly

• What it looks like: Wilting or yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and small white maggots around the base of the plant and in the bulbs.
• What causes it: Onion flies lay their eggs near the base of onion family plants. The maggots hatch and burrow into the bulbs, causing damage.
• 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 leaves, stunted growth, and soft, mushy bulbs. The plant may easily pull out of the soil.
• What causes it: Overwatering or poorly draining soil creates conditions that favor fungal and bacterial growth, leading to bulb rot.
• How to fix/prevent it: Ensure your soil is well-draining. Water only when the top inch or two of soil is dry. Avoid overwatering, especially during periods of heavy rainfall.

Texas Specific Challenges: The combination of hot-to-extreme heat, variable humidity, and unpredictable rainfall in Texas can create challenges for growing chives. High humidity can increase the risk of fungal diseases like rust, while periods of drought can stress the plants and make them more susceptible to pests. Consistent monitoring and appropriate watering practices are crucial for success. Fire ants can also be a nuisance, so keep an eye out for their mounds near your chive plants.

Chives are great companions for many plants in your Texas garden! They deter pests and can even improve the flavor of some vegetables.

Good companions include:

• Carrots: Chives repel carrot root flies.
• Tomatoes: Chives deter aphids and spider mites, common tomato pests.
• Roses: Chives help prevent black spot and other fungal diseases.
• Grapes: Chives can help deter Japanese beetles.

Avoid planting chives near:

• Beans (green): Chives can inhibit the growth of beans.
• Peas: Similar to beans, chives can stunt the growth of peas.