When is the best time to plant chive seeds?

As a common vegetable, leek is not only loved by people on the dining table, but also very suitable for home cultivation. If your balcony or yard is adequate, you can choose to grow your own leeks at home. This way you can enjoy the deliciousness of fresh vegetables and experience the fun of growing them yourself. Let’s learn together when is the best time to plant chive seeds ?

When is the best time to plant chive seeds?

Leek is a highly adaptable vegetable and can be sown all year round. However, for best growth results, spring and fall are the ideal times to sow chives. The best time for sowing in spring is from March to May, while in autumn it is recommended to do so from August to September. During these two seasons, the temperature is moderate, averaging between 15 and 18 degrees Celsius, which is most conducive to the growth and development of leeks. Due to the climate differences between the north and the south, the specific sowing time should be determined based on the actual local temperature conditions.

Key points for planting leek on the balcony

1. Seed soaking and germination

Before sowing, air the chive seeds for 1 to 2 days to increase seed vitality. Next, place the seeds in 40°C warm water and stir gently, then take them out and clean them, then soak them in 30°C water for 8 to 10 hours. Germination should be carried out at a temperature of 18 to 20°C. When the seed radicle begins to extend, it can be sown.

2. Sowing method

When sowing chives, spread the seeds evenly on the prepared soil, cover with a thin layer of soil, and water thoroughly. Afterwards, a layer of plastic film can be covered on the soil surface to maintain the temperature and humidity of the soil and promote seed germination.

3. Maintenance and germination

Potted leeks should be placed in a place with sufficient scattered light and will generally sprout in about a week. When planting leeks in the ground, you need to pay attention to maintaining the appropriate moisture in the soil. They will also sprout in about a week. When most of the seeds have germinated, you can remove the plastic film.

4. Maintenance and management

Watering: After the chives sprout, water them appropriately to keep the soil moist, following the principle of "water when dry and water when wet". Chives planted in the open field can rely on natural rainwater and carry out artificial irrigation when necessary.

Fertilization: To promote the growth of leeks, nitrogen fertilizer can be applied once a month. Be careful not to over-fertilize to avoid burning the roots. If you accidentally apply too much fertilizer, dilute it by watering it abundantly.

Weeding: Chives planted in the open field are prone to weeds and need to be weeded regularly, at least four times. Herbicides can also be used for control.

Harvesting: After the leeks mature, they are generally harvested once a month, leaving a 1 cm stubble when harvesting to avoid frequent harvesting that causes premature aging of the plants. The best time to harvest is early in the morning.

5. Pest and disease control

Leek maggots: Leek maggots can cause the young stems of leeks to rot and the leaves to turn yellow. In summer, leek maggots burrow into the ground and may cause bulb rot. Once discovered, pesticides should be sprayed in time for prevention and control.

Gray mold: White or gray-brown spots will appear on the leaves of leeks infected with gray mold, which will gradually expand and cause the leaves to die. If diseased leaves are found, they should be removed in time and sprayed with appropriate pesticides for prevention and control.

The above is an introduction to the sowing time of leek seeds. In fact, as long as the environmental conditions are suitable, sowing can be done all year round, but the best time is spring and autumn.