“Are chives still good when they flower?” This is a frequently asked question by many gardeners. Good as they are, chives (and the other commonly used perennial herbs) can sometimes get a bad rap when it comes to flower gardening. They are often thought of as cheap and easy to grow but the truth is, they are very hardy and can flower year after year with very little effort on your part. You just need to know the basics of flower gardening, and you too can enjoy the joy of watching your plant flowers.
Chives are native to Europe and Asia, so you can be sure that they are not strangers to flower gardens. In fact, they have been staples for many gardeners in these areas for hundreds of years. With this in mind, it is easy to see why many people wonder, are chives still good when they flower? The truth is that they are very hardy plants that can do well in virtually any type of environment-which makes them a great choice for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.
One reason why the question, are chives still good when they flower? Is there a best time of day to plant them? The truth is that the answer depends upon your area of the country.
Chives are perennials meaning that you have to plant them each and every year. If you plant them when the coldest parts of the year are ending, such as early spring, you can expect your chives to be gone by midsummer. On the other hand, if you plant them right after the hottest part of the summer, like late in October or early November, your chives will survive the heat and stay around until the next spring. So, if you are looking for a great flower garden idea, growing perennial chives is definitely worth considering.
In addition to being a great and attractive flower garden plant, chives are also popular because of their culinary properties. For years, chives have been used to enhance foods. The most common way of using chives is in making mayonnaise, sausage, garlic powder, and even stuffing. So, with so many uses for chives, if you are growing your own garden, chives make an excellent addition to your menu. However, if you plan on eating these herbs, be sure to pick fresh chives and store them properly to ensure they don’t become bitter.
Since our chives always used in cooking, it makes sense that they should be eaten fresh as well. If you are growing your own garden and are worried about freezing them, there are a few tricks you can use to ensure that the leaves stay fresh. Most importantly, if you are growing the chives in a container, put them in a cold place until the seeds begin to sprout. When you first plant the chives, they may not seem very appealing, but keep at them and they will eventually change to a lovely yellow color.
Chives are not the only type of flowers that are edible, but with all the different types available, chives always have a place in any good gardening arsenal. Experimenting with different flower plants is always fun, but don’t overdo it! Chives will still taste good no matter what you decide to put them in. If you are planning to use chives in a recipe, then you can always add some to the ingredients before you add them to your cooking.
The truth is that no matter how long we have been gardening, chives are chives, and they are always going to taste great no matter where you plan to put them. Even if you are growing them inside your home, you can still pop a few into your salad. They are easy to maintain, and require little attention once they are established. If you are thinking about planting more than one plant, chives make a great filler. Chives are a perennial herb that are easy to grow, and they are one of the most versatile and delicious herbs in the world.