Cutting back chives???

[RidgebackRanch]

The chive bed has been blooming for almost a couple of months now and the blooms are looking a little ragged now.

Would it be a good idea to gradually cut them back to encourage new growth? We are approaching the hot part of summer.

 

[wifezilla]

Didn't you harvest the blossoms?

 

[RidgebackRanch]

Yes but there are so many left. Where I did cut some there is new growth but you know how we can go into weeks of relentless heat, I thought that they might get stressed if I really gave them a whack job.

What are your thoughts?

 

[wifezilla]

That's a great looking patch! I usually cut mine back just from use You could just cut the blooms off and leave the rest. I don't see a need to cut everything back.

To not let all those blooms go to waste, fill a glass jar with them, pour vinegar over the top and put it somewhere cool and dark for a couple of weeks. Strain and bottle.

I use chive vinegar to make salad dressing. Great flavor!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I consistently whack them back close to ground level, one section at a time. That way I always have some I can use as chives. It does not hurt mine at all. They grow back quickly.

 

[BarredBuff]

I wish my chive looked that good but the ducks ate it to the ground

 

[RidgebackRanch]

Thanks for the tip Wifezilla, I will pick some this morning before the bees arrive.

This patch started last year with some clumps from my MIL. Behind those chives is a clump of oregano from her as well. Can't wait to see that after it gets aclimated.

Thanks for all the advice. Now that I figured out how to post pictures there will be more to come.

I just notice that they are starting to form seeds, but I am still going to put some in vinegar.

 

[hoodat]

Common chives are pretty much cut and come again. I've even seen them growing wild in a lawn where they get mowed regularly. You have to be a bit more careful with garlic chives. they can only take so much cutting.

 

[wsmoak]

Those are beautiful! So they're perennial? Hmmm... I have seeds, will have to find a permanent place for them.

-Wendy

 

[Stubbornhillfarm]

Learned something new today! I didn't know that if you cut off the blossoms, they would keep growing. And, putting them in a jar with vinegar...who knew. I guess when I get home from work, I know what I will be doing for a few minutes. Thanks for posting RidgebackRanch!