Chives

Common chives or garlic chives should be grown in full sun or semi shade.

Prepare the soil as you would for most vegetables. Broadcast the seed on the soil surface and sprinkle a thin layer of compost or soil over the seeds. Don't bury the seeds, just cover them enough to protect them from wind. As always, water well after sowing the seeds. Chives also grow well in pots but make sure they're watered regularly.

Feed chives with organic liquid feeds made from seaweed or manure, and mulch around the clumps with compost. Chives will die down over winter and reappear in spring. At this point you can divide clumps to create new plants, thinning out the clumps at the same time to increase your yield.

Both types of chives can be eaten in salads or added to hot meals for extra flavour. They are also a good companion plant for carrots.