Chives in Zone 9B — Gulf Coast

Chives are a must-grow in any Gulf Coast herb garden. Their mild onion flavor adds a fresh zing to everything from seafood gumbo to backyard burgers. Plus, the satisfaction of snipping fresh herbs right outside your door, even in late fall, is hard to beat in our long growing season.

Our high humidity and heavy rainfall can present challenges like fungal diseases. But with careful timing and attention to drainage, you can enjoy a steady supply of chives almost year-round. Our 319-day growing season gives you plenty of opportunities to get it right.

Starting chives indoors is an option, especially if you're eager to get a head start. Sow seeds mid-November through early December, about eight weeks before you plan to transplant them outdoors. This can give you a jump on the season and earlier harvests.

Use seed trays filled with a good seed-starting mix. Keep them consistently moist by watering from the bottom to avoid damping off – a common problem with our humid conditions. Provide warmth and plenty of light, especially since our days are shorter then. Remember that our spring comes early.

Transplant your chive seedlings outdoors mid-January through mid-February. This timing lets them establish before the heat of summer kicks in. Before transplanting, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week.

Space them 8-12 inches apart in a sunny spot with well-draining soil. While starting from seed is rewarding, keep in mind that buying established starts or dividing existing clumps is a much faster way to get a productive chive patch going.

Direct sowing chives is also possible, and it's a great option given our long growing season. Sow seeds early January through mid-September, giving you a wide window of opportunity. Just keep in mind they're slow to establish from seed.

Prepare the soil by loosening it and adding some compost. Chives need a soil temperature of at least 60°F to germinate, so waiting until the soil warms up a bit is best. Plant seeds 8-12 inches apart. While direct sowing works, divisions or starts will give you a quicker harvest.

Chives need moderate and consistent watering, especially in our humid Gulf Coast climate. They're more tolerant of moisture than some other herbs, but they still need well-draining soil to prevent bulb rot. Keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy.

During the hotter months, especially June through August, you'll likely need to water a couple of times a week, providing about an inch of water each time. Use the finger test to check the soil moisture – if the top two inches feel dry, it's time to water. During the cooler months, you can reduce watering to once a week or less, depending on rainfall. We get a lot of rain!

Water at the base of the plants rather than overhead to minimize fungal disease issues in our high humidity. Signs of underwatering include wilting or yellowing leaves, while overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and bulb rot. Mulching around your chives with pine straw or shredded leaves helps retain moisture and suppress weeds, but be sure to leave space around the base of the plants to prevent rot.

You can expect your first harvest of chives late March through late December in our Zone 9B Gulf Coast gardens. Look for leaves that are at least 6 inches tall before harvesting. They'll be ready about 80 days after planting.

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 plants productive and prevent them from flowering.

As the first frost approaches in mid- December, cut back the chives to a few inches above the ground. They'll go dormant over the winter and come back strong in the spring. Every three years or so, divide the clumps to prevent overcrowding and maintain vigor.

Here are some common problems you might encounter growing chives in our Gulf Coast climate:

Onion Fly

• What it looks like: Wilting, yellowing, and stunted growth. You might see small, white maggots near the base of the plants.
• What causes it: Onion flies lay their eggs near the base of onion family plants. The maggots hatch and feed on the bulbs and roots.
• How to fix/prevent it: Use row covers to prevent flies from laying eggs. Remove and destroy any infested plants. Beneficial nematodes can help control the larvae 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 leaves, stunted growth, and a mushy, rotting bulb.
• What causes it: Overwatering and poorly draining soil create conditions that favor fungal and bacterial pathogens that cause bulb rot. This is common with our heavy rainfall.
• How to fix/prevent it: Plant chives in well-draining soil. Avoid overwatering. Improve drainage by adding compost or other organic matter to the soil. Consider raised beds if your soil is consistently wet.

Gulf Coast Specific Challenges: Our hot, humid summers and frequent rainfall create ideal conditions for fungal diseases and bulb rot. Ensure good drainage and air circulation to minimize these problems. Keep an eye out for pests like onion flies, and take action promptly to prevent infestations.

Chives are great companions for many plants in the Gulf Coast garden. They deter pests and improve the health of their neighbors.

Good companions include carrots, tomatoes, roses, and grapes. Chives repel carrot rust flies and Japanese beetles that can damage roses and grapes. They also improve the flavor and growth of tomatoes. Avoid planting chives near green beans and peas. They can inhibit the growth of these legumes.