Chives
Hardy perennial bulbs
8 - 15 inches

Cultivation

Site	Sunny. Tolerates partial shade.
Soil	Rich, moist, and well drained.
Propagation	Take offsets or divide bulb in autumn or spring.
Growing	Transplant, or thin to 9: apart. Water in dry spells and enrich soil annually (or monthly when cutting chives). Remove flowers for better flavor. Divide and replant clumps 3-4 years. POt in autumn for fall supply.
Harvesting	Cut leaves leaving 2" for regrowth. Pick flowers as they open.
Preserving	Refigerate chive leaves in a sealed plastic bag to retain crispness for 7 days, or freeze, or dry them.

Uses

Culinary	Flower - Sprinkle florets on salads. Leaf - Eat in salads, sandwiches, and soups, and use as a garnish. Make butter or cream cheese (allow 1 hour for flavor to infuse). To reconstitute dries leaves moisten with water, or lemon juice.
Household	Whole plant - Grow as deterrent for aphids, apple scab, and mildew. Leaf - Infuse as a spray for aphids, apple scab, and mildew.
Medicinal	Whole plant - All alliums contain some iron and vitamins and are a mild antibiotic. Sprinkle on food to stimulate appetite and promote digestion. Take as a mild laxative.