Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
9 sources cited · Verified
The short answer
- Plant
- Early March to early October
- Site
- soil pH 6–6.6
- Biggest risk
- Onion downy mildew
In the UK, chives go in the ground early March to early October.
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) — herbaceous perennial.
Timing is the decision that matters most in the UK: there are 4 separate regional sowing windows, ranging from early March in Southern England to early March in Scotland.
Core growing advice on this page is checked against named horticultural and university-extension sources — see References.
Regional Planting Calendar
| Region | Sow |
|---|---|
| Southern England | early March to early October |
| Midlands | early March to early October |
| Northern England | early March to early October |
| Scotland | early March to early October |
Southern England - detail & sources
RHS gives one UK-wide sowing/planting window for chives -- March to October outdoors -- rather than region-specific dates; as a hardy perennial herb that is fine, not a gap, since it is not chasing a frost date the way a tender annual crop would be. All four UK sub-regions share this window on that basis.
Midlands - detail & sources
RHS gives one UK-wide sowing/planting window for chives -- March to October outdoors -- rather than region-specific dates; as a hardy perennial herb that is fine, not a gap, since it is not chasing a frost date the way a tender annual crop would be. All four UK sub-regions share this window on that basis.
Northern England - detail & sources
RHS gives one UK-wide sowing/planting window for chives -- March to October outdoors -- rather than region-specific dates; as a hardy perennial herb that is fine, not a gap, since it is not chasing a frost date the way a tender annual crop would be. All four UK sub-regions share this window on that basis.
Scotland - detail & sources
RHS gives one UK-wide sowing/planting window for chives -- March to October outdoors -- rather than region-specific dates; as a hardy perennial herb that is fine, not a gap, since it is not chasing a frost date the way a tender annual crop would be. All four UK sub-regions share this window on that basis.
Quick Facts
| Factor | Value |
|---|---|
| Soil pH | 6 - 6.6 |
| Optimal growing temp | 10-20C |
| Minimum survivable temp | 2C |
| Drainage | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand; moisture-retentive, well-drained soil |
| Lifecycle | herbaceous perennial |
| Edible parts | leaves, flowers |
At a Glance
Soil & Growing Conditions
Soil pH range
Span reflects genuine variation between the cited authorities, not a single agreed figure.
Growth Stages
| Stage | BBCH | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sowing or division | 0 | Sow indoors in early spring 0.5-1cm deep, or direct outdoors; thin seedlings to 15-20cm apart. Alternatively divide an established clump every three to four years, pulling it apart and replanting sections 15cm apart in spring or autumn -- much faster than starting from seed. RHS. |
| Establishment | 3 | A young clump bulks up through its first season; avoid heavy cutting until it is well established. RHS. |
| Cut-and-come-again cropping | 5 | Snip with scissors just above the base whenever leaves are needed, ideally in the morning -- the more often the plant is cut, the more new leaves it produces, right through spring to autumn. RHS. |
| Flowering & winter care | 6 | Decorative pompom flowerheads appear in late spring and summer and are themselves edible, scattered into salads. Established clumps die back for winter; potting one up and bringing it indoors onto a sunny windowsill extends the harvest through the cold months. RHS. |
Harvest & Storage
When to pick: Cut-and-come-again herb; snip leaves regularly from spring to autumn to encourage fresh growth
Diseases
Pests
Chives, Clump to Flower
References
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9 independent sources are cited for this crop. Where they disagree - soil pH is the clearest case - every figure is preserved rather than averaged into false precision.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I sow chives in the UK?
In Southern England, from early March. In Scotland, wait until early March. Treat these as a guide rather than a fixed date — the governing rule is to sow only once frost risk has passed and temperatures are reliably warm enough.
When do I sow chives?
Sow early March to early October.
What soil pH do chives need?
A pH of about 6–6.6. That span reflects genuine variation between the authorities we cite rather than a single agreed figure — the References section lists each source's exact range.
What problems affect chives?
Our data links 2 diseases and 4 pests to this crop. See the sections above for each one and how to manage it.
Plan next season before the problems start
Most of the advice on this page comes down to timing and spacing — sowing at the right moment, rotating beds, and giving plants enough airflow. The UK Garden Planner lays your plot out month by month so those decisions are already made before the season starts.
Get the UK Garden Planner →Instant PDF download · Written for UK growing conditions
Where To Go From Here
Take this crop from reading into a written plan for your own beds.
Plan the next step
Use the printable SoilCommander planner for your region to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts and weekly garden tasks.