When is the right time to plant chives?

Leek , a well-known vegetable , is grown in almost every rural household. It is a perennial plant that is highly adaptable and can thrive in both hot summers and cold winters. With just one planting, chives will provide a bountiful harvest year after year. There are many ways to plant chives, either by sowing or by division. Whether it is a vegetable garden, courtyard, balcony, or flower pot, it is suitable for the growth and transplantation of leeks. So when is the right time to plant chives?

When is the right time to plant chives?

Leeks are usually sown in spring and autumn. Spring sowing usually takes place between March and May, and the specific time depends on the climatic conditions in different regions. Autumn sowing usually takes place around August. Spring sowing is considered most suitable because the climate is mild at this time and the leeks have enough time to grow after sowing until they can be transplanted in late summer and autumn.

In comparison, the sowing period in autumn is shorter, and if sowing is done too early, high temperatures may inhibit seed germination and seedling growth. If sowing is too late, the seedlings will not have enough growth period and will find it difficult to safely overwinter. The suitable germination temperature for leek seeds is 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. Too high or too low temperature may have an adverse effect on its germination. Therefore, spring is the best time to grow chives from seeds.

Tips and methods for growing chives

The germination and emergence process of leek seeds is relatively slow, so you need to be patient and manage them carefully. Leek seeds can be sown in rows or on spot. Leeks sown in rows in spring need to be transplanted in summer, while those sown on spot do not need to be transplanted. Whether it is row sowing or spot sowing, water should be applied before sowing. The soil covering after sowing should not be too deep, about 1 to 2 cm is enough. Before the seeds germinate, it is best to cover them with items such as straw mats to keep the soil moist and prevent the soil from drying out. Once the seeds begin to emerge, remove the mulch.

The best time to transplant chives

The suitable time for transplanting leeks is from spring to autumn, roughly between May and August. The specific time should be determined according to local climatic conditions and personal actual situation. Transplanting has relatively loose requirements for environment and temperature. It is not advisable to transplant too early in spring, because low temperature is not conducive to the growth of root system and the recovery of plants; it is not advisable to transplant too late in autumn, so as to avoid insufficient root development and affect the safe wintering of plants. In northern regions, June to August is the ideal time to transplant leeks, while in southern regions, it can be a little earlier in spring and a little later in autumn.

Tips and methods for transplanting leeks

The transplanting of leeks is different from that of other vegetables. Leeks need to be pruned before transplanting. When pruning, part of the root system should be cut off, leaving about 2 to 3 cm long roots to promote the rapid growth of new roots. At the same time, the leaves also need to be trimmed, leaving 2 to 3 cm long leaves to reduce water evaporation and help the plant resume growth quickly.

After pruning is completed, you can transplant it. When transplanting, the row spacing should be kept at about 20 cm, the plant spacing should be 8 to 10 cm, and 4 to 5 seedlings should be planted in each hole, with a maximum of 8 seedlings, because leeks will continue to tiller during the growth process. After transplanting, water thoroughly and add water in time when the soil is dry to promote the recovery of the plant. In addition, whether planting or transplanting, when using base fertilizer, be careful not to let the fertilizer directly contact the root system. The root system and fertilizer should be separated by soil to avoid affecting the growth of the plant.

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