When to plant or sow Chives?

Chives thrive in full sun or partial shade and tolerate a wide range of soils, though they perform best in loam or clay that retains some moisture without becoming waterlogged. Before planting, work in a generous amount of well-rotted compost or manure to improve soil structure and fertility, especially if your ground is heavy clay or prone to drying out. Plant chives outdoors in April or May, once the risk of hard frost has passed. You can sow seed directly into the ground, but germination is slow and results can be patchy, so most gardeners prefer to buy small plants or divide an existing clump. Space plants 15 cm apart to allow each to develop into a neat, grassy clump. If sowing seed, scatter thinly in shallow drills about 1 cm deep, then thin seedlings to the final spacing once they're large enough to handle. When planting pot-grown chives, dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball, settle the plant at the same depth it was growing in its pot, and firm the soil gently around the base. Water in well to help roots establish. Chives also grow happily in containers—choose a pot at least 20 cm across and fill it with multipurpose or loam-based compost. After planting, water regularly for the first few weeks until you see strong new growth. A light mulch of compost around the base helps retain moisture and suppresses weeds, but keep it clear of the stems to avoid rot. Chives are hardy perennials and will die back in winter, reappearing reliably each spring.