When is the best time to plant chives?

Many friends love to eat leeks, and there are many ways to cook leeks. The most common ones are stir-fried leeks, scrambled leeks with eggs, etc. The iron plate leeks and roasted leek roots at barbecue stalls are also very popular. Chives are also one of the best fillings for many delicious foods, and the demand for chives in the Chinese market is still relatively stable. It is spring now, so when is the best time to plant chives?

When is the best time to plant chives?

1. Spring sowing

Spring is the ideal time to sow leeks , and it should be done when the local ground temperature is stable at 5-10℃. At this time, the soil has not completely thawed and the surface is relatively moist, which is conducive to seed germination. Early planting in spring can also avoid competition with weeds because chive seeds germinate quickly and temperatures are not yet suitable for weed growth. Therefore, spring sowing is recommended as a priority.

2. Summer sowing

Summer sowing is usually done after harvesting other crops such as cucumbers and tomatoes . Because the temperature is high in summer, drought or waterlogging is prone to occur, so the sowing amount should be increased by about one-third compared to spring, and the soil covering should not be too thick to keep the soil moderately moist, which is conducive to the full germination of the seeds.

3. Autumn sowing

Autumn sowing is generally carried out around the beginning of autumn, and the sowing amount should be doubled compared to spring. In terms of management, the soil should be kept "dry and moist", that is, water it when the soil surface is dry to maintain appropriate humidity. Pay attention to weed control in the late autumn sowing period. Due to some unfavorable factors in autumn sowing, it is generally not the first choice.

When sowing chives, you should also pay attention to the following points:

Soil preparation: Make sure the soil is loose, fertile and well-drained.

Seed treatment: Before sowing, the seeds should be properly treated, such as soaking and disinfection, to increase the germination rate.

Sowing depth: Adjust the sowing depth according to soil moisture, generally 1-2 cm is appropriate.

Post-management: Carry out water and nutrient management in time after sowing to maintain appropriate soil moisture and fertility to promote the healthy growth of leek seedlings.

Tips for growing chive roots

1. Dormancy management

After the Cold Dew, watering and fertilization should be reduced to accumulate nutrients and control the growth of leeks. After the frost, set up a north-sloping wind barrier about one meter high on the south side of the leek field to lower the temperature and promote the leek to enter a dormant state, reducing nutrient consumption. When winter arrives, orient the windbreak so it tilts toward the south to begin retaining heat.

2. Reasonable harvesting

Proper harvesting is crucial during the root growth period of leeks. The number of harvests per year should be controlled within 5 times to prevent excessive harvesting from affecting root recovery. When harvesting, the stubble height should be kept at about 4 cm and should be avoided on rainy days. After harvesting, it is not advisable to water or fertilize immediately to avoid damaging the root system.

3. Apply fertilizer at the right time

During the root growth period of chives, timely fertilization is the key. In October of each year, as the temperature drops, the assimilation of leeks increases and the growth rate slows down. At this time, water and fertilizer management should be strengthened. In September, ammonium nitrate can be applied once with water, and again in October, and phosphorus and potassium fertilizers can be increased appropriately.

4. Darkening

After the beginning of winter, remove dead leaves and weeds, water and fertilize, and then carry out darkening treatment. When building a small arch shed, in addition to the film, you also need to cover it with straw mats, which should be opened at 9 o'clock every day and covered at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, reducing the lighting time to 5 hours. After a week, you can remove the film and add soil, and then harvest the leeks after they grow to a certain height.

5. Fertilizer and water management

Chives require a lot of nutrients during their rapid growth period. About 100 kilograms of compost, 1,500 kilograms of farmyard manure and 50 kilograms of compound fertilizer are applied per acre of land. Water to maintain a suitable soil solution concentration. After the Cold Dew, reduce watering to accumulate nutrients. At the beginning of winter, cut off the dead leeks and use 40 kilograms of urea per mu, combined with watering.

6. Prevent root jumping

Root jumping of chives will reduce yield. Root jumping is mainly caused by tillering, which results in new tillers growing at the upper end of the plant. Each harvest will cause the roots of the leeks to gradually move closer to the ground, affecting their growth and quality. By adding soil and manure, the roots exposed to the ground can be covered, the nutritional needs of the roots can be met, and the growth ability of the leek can be enhanced.

7. Pinch off the flower stalks

Chives bloom and bear fruit in July and August. At this time, the nutrients of the plant are concentrated on the fruit, affecting the growth of stems, leaves and tillers. To protect root growth, the flower stalks should be pinched off in time to prevent excessive nutrient consumption and reduce yield and quality.

In general, leek is a vegetable that is relatively easy to manage. If you are a vegetable farmer who wants to gain economic benefits from growing leeks, quality and yield are very important.