Chives characteristics
Chives is a hardy perennial with round pink or purple flowers at the tips of tube-like long green stems. They grow in clumps 10 to 12" tall. Chives have a mild onion flavor.
Growing chives
Chives can be planted from seed or division in the early spring and prefer a sunny spot with moist soil.
Every two to three years, the plants need to be separated. Leave clumps of 10 plants and begin spacing 1 foot apart.
Harvesting chives
Cut stems for immediate use at any time by snipping of the quantity desired. The flavor reaches its full potential by late spring. Chives can be dried like any herb and do very well when frozen.
Uses
Chives go well with any dish that complements onions.
There are many herbal preparations that claim to keep mosquitoes away but how effective are they? The gold standard of mosquito repellants is DEET, a chemical many people want to avoid. There are some plants that do have mosquito repellant properties and in this article we will discuss them. |
Chamomile has been used as a remedy for calming the nerves and the stomach, and easing sleep, since herbal remedies were recorded. Chamomile is one of those herbs that even beginners can grow and it is hardy through much of the United States. Chamomile is also used in a variety of beauty products currently on the market from shampoo to skin cream. |
Lemon Balm is another herb that anyone can grow in the garden. With its lovely lemony flavor it complements many dishes. It has many medicinal uses and is currently being studied for use in suppressing tumors, and in HIV, Herpes, and Alzheimer's treatment. Lemon Balm is so easy to grow that many people consider it invasive. |
Tarragon is tall and deep green, growing 2 to 3 feet tall with an anise-peppery flavor. |
Common thyme is a semi-hardy, low-growing perennial. Its leaves are gray with blooms. Numerous varieties include lemon, dwarf and creeping. |
