Chives in Zone 9A — Florida

Chives are a fantastic addition to any Florida garden. Their mild onion flavor adds a fresh zing to everything from salads to soups, and they're incredibly easy to grow. Plus, the satisfaction of snipping fresh herbs from your own backyard, even in the middle of "winter," is a real treat in our reversed growing season.

Sure, we have our share of gardening challenges here in Florida, like humidity and sandy soil. But with a little planning, and by understanding our unique climate, you can enjoy a thriving patch of chives almost year-round. Our long 327-day growing season gives you plenty of time to get them established and producing.

Starting chives indoors gives you a head start, especially if you want a larger clump sooner rather than later. Sow seeds indoors from mid November through early December, about eight weeks before you'd like to transplant them outside. Use seed trays with a good seed-starting mix, keep them warm, and provide plenty of light – a grow light works wonders.

Bottom watering is your friend here. Just set the tray in a shallow dish of water and let the soil soak it up from the bottom. This avoids damping off and keeps the seedlings happy. Remember, our spring comes early, so starting indoors helps you take advantage of the cooler temperatures and get a jump on the growing season.

Transplant your chives seedlings outdoors from mid January through mid February. Before you move them permanently, harden them off by gradually exposing them to the outdoors for about a week. This helps them adjust to the Florida sun and wind.

Plant them 8-12 inches apart in well-drained soil. Keep an eye on the weather forecast; we sometimes get a late cold snap, even here in Zone 9A. If a freeze is predicted, cover your new transplants to protect them. Consider buying starts or dividing existing clumps instead of seeds. That's often a faster way to get a good harvest.

Direct sowing chives is also an option, and you can do it from early January through late September. Prepare your soil by loosening it and mixing in some compost. Chives need a soil temperature of at least 60°F to germinate, so keep that in mind.

Sow seeds 8-12 inches apart and keep the soil consistently moist. The downside to direct sowing is that it takes longer for chives to establish from seed. If you're impatient, divisions or starts are definitely the quicker route to a chive-filled garden.

Chives prefer moderate, consistent moisture, which can be a bit tricky to manage with our Florida weather. During the drier months (late fall through early spring), water deeply when the top two inches of soil feel dry to the touch. That's the "finger test."

In general, aim for about one inch of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation. Be mindful of our wet summers; chives are more tolerant of moisture than some other herbs, but they can still suffer in soggy conditions. Water at the base of the plant to avoid getting the leaves wet, which can encourage fungal diseases in our humid climate.

If the leaves start to wilt or turn yellow, you're likely underwatering. If they become mushy or develop brown spots, you might be overwatering. Adding a layer of mulch around your chives helps retain moisture in the soil and suppress weeds, which is always a plus in Florida.

You can expect your first harvest of chives from late March through early January, about 80 days after planting. Look for leaves that are at least 6 inches tall. That usually happens when the plants are mature enough.

To harvest, simply snip the leaves 1-2 inches above the base of the plant. This encourages new growth and keeps your chives producing. Harvest regularly throughout the growing season to keep the plant productive.

Even as our first frost approaches in late December, chives can often keep producing. If a hard freeze is predicted, you can cover them for a bit of extra protection. Also, every three years or so, divide your chive clumps to keep them vigorous and prevent overcrowding.

Here are a few common problems you might encounter with chives in Florida:

• 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, and the larvae (maggots) feed on the roots and bulbs.
• How to fix/prevent it: Use row covers to prevent flies from laying eggs. Remove and destroy infested plants. Encourage beneficial nematodes in the soil.
• 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: Fungal or bacterial pathogens thrive in waterlogged soil, causing the bulbs to rot.
• How to fix/prevent it: Ensure well-draining soil. Avoid overwatering. Improve soil drainage by adding compost or other organic matter.

Florida Specific Challenges: Our hot, humid summers and wet-summer rainfall create ideal conditions for fungal diseases like rust and bulb rot. Good air circulation, proper watering practices, and well-draining soil are crucial for keeping your chives healthy. Also, nematodes can sometimes be a problem in our sandy soil. Using nematode-resistant varieties and amending the soil with organic matter can help.

Chives make great companions for a variety of plants in your Florida garden. They're particularly beneficial when planted near:

• Carrots: Chives repel carrot root flies, protecting your carrot crop.
• Tomatoes: Chives are said to improve the flavor of tomatoes and may help deter pests.
• Roses: Chives can help deter aphids and black spot on roses.
• Grapes: Chives are believed to improve the vigor and disease resistance of grapevines.

Avoid planting chives near:

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

By choosing the right companions, you can create a thriving and pest-resistant garden in Florida.