Chive seeds

[Chooklady]

I have just treated my poor chives to a haircut and have taken all the papery flower heads off. I'll use them to grow more next year and sell them to make a few pounds for the church roof restoration fund.

When should I sew them next year and how should I store the seeds until then?

Thank you

[rustylady]

You could sow them now if you want to. Chives are perennial.

I find the best way to increase them is to dig up a clump and split it into small sections, then replant. Just did mine at the allotment a couple of weeks ago and they are growing well.

[Potstubsdustbins]

I gathered flower heads last year as one of my pots had become overgrown. I stored them in a frost free place over winter for a spring sowing in the hope of success.

They were just like any other onion type seed in late March this year and are now about 6" high.

Potty

[veggiechicken]

Put the flower heads in a paper bag or envelope and let them dry out completely. The seeds will come out of the seed heads - may need a shake - and store them in an airtight container until spring when you sow them.

[Two_Sheds]

I find they do better from being self-sown than if I try to collect the seed and sow it myself. Same with onions, I'm not v.good at alliums.

I let them ss, then dig up the seedlings and pot them on

Herbs are always a good money-spinner. Mint does well too, rooting from tiny little scraps of root (sell it as "mint tea plant".

[veggiechicken]

Re Mint - I have 5 different sorts, all rooting in water at this very moment. Just cut off the tops of the stalks - about 2-3", strip off the lower sets of leaves and use them, and put the top in a little water. They root within a week. Very very easy!!!

[zazen999]

Sow each head in its own pot now, and by next spring you will have pots and pots of chives.

I've done exactly the same, got a large bag of dried heads, and will be sowing them all this weekend

[Two_Sheds]

Very very easy!!!

and making mint tea is even easier: put some leaves in a cup, top up with boiling water. Add sugar to taste.
Fantastic cure for indigestion, it works better than ranitidine ~ we've done trials

[Chooklady]

Thanks for all the great replies, I shall pop one head into a pot of it's own and see them grow.

Hmmmm, I do have mint, from Tesco's.... you know the potted ones. I repotted into a larger container last year but it seems very slow and straggly. Never been good with herbs, they always die on me whilst everyone else's are strong