When is the best time to sow chives?

Leek is a vegetable that can adapt to both low and high temperatures, and it prefers a slightly cooler climate. Leek seeds germinate best when the temperature reaches above 12°C. Chives have special requirements for light and are highly shade-tolerant. If the light conditions are insufficient, the yield of chives may be reduced. On the contrary, if the light is too strong, it may affect the quality of the leek. Therefore, moderate light intensity is most beneficial to the growth of leeks. Let’s take a look at when is the best time to sow chives?

When is the best time to sow chives?

The ideal sowing season for chives is spring, because the climatic conditions at this time are suitable, which is conducive to high germination rate of seeds and uniform emergence. Since leek seeds are sensitive to high temperatures, improper management during summer sowing may result in uneven germination. Therefore, spring sowing is the best option. In the northern regions, sowing is usually carried out between March and April, while in the southern regions it can be brought forward appropriately depending on climatic conditions. In cold areas, you can wait until the temperature stabilizes at above 5℃ to 10℃ before sowing.

Sowing tips: Leeks can be sown in holes or rows. Before sowing, soak the seeds in warm water at about 30°C for 6 hours, and then place them at room temperature to promote germination. Water once every morning and evening. When most of the seeds appear white, you can sow them. After sowing, cover with about 1 cm of soil. To ensure that the seeds germinate evenly, you can cover them with a layer of plastic film after sowing and remove the film when the seedlings begin to emerge.

Key points for harvesting leeks

Suitable harvesting time: The harvesting season of leek is mainly spring and early autumn. The leek in these two seasons is fresh and tender with good quality. The appropriate harvesting standard is a plant height of about 30 cm, 5 to 6 leaves per plant, and a growing period of more than 25 days per crop. The best time to harvest is on a sunny morning, when the moisture in the leaves has not yet evaporated and the quality is fresh and tender.

Reasonable harvesting times: Chives have strong regeneration ability and can be harvested multiple times a year. But in order to maintain high yields, the number of harvests needs to be strictly controlled. In the first year after planting, the main focus is on root care, and generally no harvest or only one harvest is harvested. After that, 2 to 3 crops are harvested every spring. In summer, whether to harvest is determined based on market price and quality. Autumn is suitable for growth, but too many harvests will affect the accumulation of nutrients in the root system.

The stubble height should be appropriate: The stubble height should be appropriate during harvesting. Generally, the stubble height is 4 to 6 cm during the first mowing, and each subsequent stubble height is 1.5 to 2.0 cm higher than the previous one. Too much stubble will affect the yield and quality of the current crop, while too little stubble will easily damage the roots and rhizomes and affect the next crop.

Water and fertilizer management after harvesting: Chives are highly tolerant to fertilizer. After each harvest, apply top dressing when the wound has healed and the new leaves have grown 3 to 4 cm. Top dressing should be mainly quick-acting nitrogen and decomposed human feces and urine. Avoid watering and top dressing immediately after harvesting to prevent dry leaf tips and fertilizer damage.

Harvesting interval: The interval between two harvests should generally not be less than 1 month to ensure that the leeks have sufficient time to restore their nutrient supply and accumulate energy.

Management after harvesting: After each harvest, remember to add fertilizer , preferably with watering, to quickly replenish the nutrients needed by the leeks.

Overwintering care: Chives are perennial vegetables, and their dormant period is from late autumn to winter every year. Pre-winter maintenance is very important to promote a strong root system.

Harvesting method: Whether it is hand picking or mechanical harvesting, you should choose the maturity period of leeks, generally about 40-50 days of growth.

The above is an introduction to the planting time of leeks. In fact, leeks can be planted as long as they are in a suitable environment, so many families now use balcony potted plants .