Chives in Zone 9A — Texas

Chives are a fantastic addition to any Texas garden. Their mild onion flavor elevates everything from scrambled eggs to grilled meats, and they're incredibly easy to grow. Plus, the cheerful purple flowers attract beneficial pollinators to your garden. The best part? You can usually get two good harvests a year with our long growing season.

Now, let's be real, gardening in Texas comes with its own set of challenges, like the brutal Texas heat and unpredictable weather. But don’t let that scare you off. With a little planning and attention to timing, you can enjoy fresh chives for most of our 293-day growing season.

Starting chives indoors gives you a head start, especially if you want to harvest early. You can start your seeds indoors from late November through late December, about eight weeks before you plan to transplant them outside. Use seed trays filled with a good seed-starting mix and keep them in a warm spot with plenty of light – a sunny windowsill or under grow lights works great.

A little tip I learned the hard way: bottom watering is your friend. Set the seed trays in a shallow dish of water and let the soil soak it up. This prevents damping-off and keeps the seedlings happy. With our early springs here in Texas, a head start indoors can really pay off.

Transplant your chives seedlings outdoors from early February through early March, after the last expected frost. Before you plant them in the ground, harden them off by gradually exposing them to the outdoor elements for about a week. This helps them adjust to the Texas sun and wind.

Plant them 8-12 inches apart in well-drained soil. Keep an eye on the weather forecast – we sometimes get late freezes here, so be prepared to cover your transplants if needed. Honestly, buying starts or dividing existing clumps is a lot faster than starting from seed, if you can find them at your local nursery.

Direct sowing chives is another option, and it’s pretty straightforward. You can sow seeds directly into the garden from mid January through early September. Choose a spot with well-drained soil and make sure the soil temperature is consistently above 60°F.

Loosen the soil, sprinkle the seeds, and lightly cover them with soil. Keep the soil consistently moist until the seeds germinate. Just a heads up: chives can be slow to establish from seed, so be patient. Again, divisions or starts will give you faster results.

Watering is key to keeping your chives happy in the Texas heat. While chives need moderate, consistent moisture, they aren't drought tolerant. Especially during our hot, dry summers, you'll need to pay close attention.

During the spring and fall, when temperatures are milder and rainfall is more frequent (though still unpredictable!), water about once a week, giving them about an inch of water. During the brutal Texas heat of summer, you might need to water every other day or even daily, depending on rainfall and humidity. Use the finger test – stick your finger about two inches deep into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water.

Water at the base of the plants to avoid wetting the foliage, especially if the humidity is high. Overhead watering can encourage fungal diseases. Signs of underwatering include wilted or yellowing leaves. Overwatering can lead to bulb rot, so make sure the soil is well-draining. A layer of mulch around your chives helps to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, which is a plus when dealing with the Texas heat.

You can expect your first chive harvest starting in early April and continuing through mid December. Chives are ready to harvest about 80 days after planting. 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. Don't be afraid to harvest regularly – the more you cut, the more they'll grow!

As the first frost approaches in early December, cut back the chives to a few inches above the ground. They'll go dormant over the winter and bounce back in the spring. Every three years or so, divide the clumps to keep them vigorous and prevent overcrowding.

Even chives have their problems. Here are a few common issues you might encounter in Texas:

Onion Fly

• What it looks like: Yellowing and wilting 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 hatch and feed on the bulbs. This is more common during periods of wet weather, which we sometimes get plenty of during our unpredictable rainfall.
• How to fix/prevent it: Use row covers to prevent flies from laying eggs. Remove and destroy infested plants. Consider using 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 and wilting leaves, mushy bulbs, and a foul odor.
• What causes it: Overwatering and poorly draining soil create an environment where fungal pathogens thrive. This is especially a risk after flash floods.
• How to fix/prevent it: Ensure good drainage. Avoid overwatering. Amend heavy clay soils with compost. Plant in raised beds if necessary.

Texas-Specific Challenges: The hot-to-extreme heat can stress chives, making them more susceptible to pests and diseases. Variable humidity can also contribute to fungal problems. Unpredictable rainfall can lead to both drought and overwatering issues, so it's important to monitor your plants closely and adjust your watering accordingly.

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

Good companions:

• Carrots: Chives repel carrot root flies.
• Tomatoes: Chives deter aphids and other pests that attack tomatoes. Plus, they supposedly improve the flavor of the tomatoes.
• Roses: Chives help prevent black spot and aphids on roses.
• Grapes: Chives can help deter Japanese beetles.

Bad companions:

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