When is the best time to plant chives?

Chives are a perennial herb that can be harvested continuously for many years after being planted once. They are a highly economical vegetable . Chives have a strong tillering ability, and can continuously grow new leaves through tillering. So when is the best time to plant chives?

When is the best time to plant chives?

Chives are a perennial vegetable. The suitable planting time is mainly concentrated in spring, and they are generally sown between March and May. The climatic conditions in spring are conducive to the growth and germination of leeks. They can germinate quickly and are relatively easy to manage. In addition, leeks can also be planted in summer and autumn, but spring sowing is usually more suitable.

Key points for growing chives

When choosing leek varieties, you should consider the width of the leaves, which are divided into broad-leaf and narrow-leaf types, which are called large-leaf and small-leaf leeks in the market. It is essential to understand the characteristics of each variety and its adaptability to the climate. Selection should be based on the local climate to ensure optimal growth. Popular varieties include large-leaf leek, western leek, fragrant leek and Hanzhong winter leek.

In terms of sowing, leeks are mostly sown directly with dry seeds, and you can also choose to soak the seeds to germinate to speed up emergence. Before soaking the seeds, soak them in water for 24 hours. After removing the mucus, germinate them at 15-20°C. They will turn white in 3-5 days. There are two methods of sowing: row sowing and broadcast sowing.

After the chives are planted, they should be watered thoroughly immediately and then watered 2-3 times over the next 1-2 days until new roots and leaves grow. Afterwards, carry out inter-row cultivation and seedling squatting. During the growth period, keep the soil moist and water appropriately in the morning and evening depending on the dryness of the soil. When encountering waterlogging, drain the water in time to avoid disease and seedling death. After October, as the temperature drops, the frequency of watering should be reduced to avoid affecting nutrient accumulation.

When applying fertilizer, organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizer should be combined to improve the yield and quality of leeks. Apply fertilizer in time 2-3 days after each harvest to meet the nutritional needs of leek growth.

As for harvesting, it is not advisable to harvest in the year of planting in order to cultivate strong seedlings. The plants can be harvested when they are 25 cm tall. Choose a sunny morning, keep the stubble height at 2-4 cm, and ensure that the cut is flat. The harvesting interval is 20-25 days, using special and sterilized tools to reduce the spread of pests and diseases.

To sum up, spring is the best time to plant leeks. Through proper sowing and management measures, high-quality growth and harvest of leeks can be ensured.