Chives

Place chives near a path, patio, or bed edge so the clumps can be reached without stepping into surrounding soil. Their upright, narrow foliage works well as a low border rhythm or as small repeated clumps among larger vegetables and herbs. They can be included near carrots, tomatoes, cabbage, strawberries, and apple trees; keep them separate from beans, peas, fava beans, and cowpeas. In a formal layout, repeat the same spacing along one side of a bed for a clean, continuous line.

Set plants 9 inches apart, center to center. Each clump can reach about 1 foot wide, so this close spacing is best used when you want neighboring plants to knit into a continuous edge rather than remain as separate tufts. For individual accents, leave a little open soil around each clump and reserve nearby space for harvesting from more than one side. Avoid placing them where taller neighboring plants will crowd the foliage or block access.

Give chives a full-sun position with regular water and soil that drains well. Use them in a bed with dependable moisture rather than in a spot that stays waterlogged after rain or irrigation. A sunny container or raised edge can make the foliage especially easy to reach, provided excess water can drain away freely.^[1][2]

Harvest from spring through fall by cutting leaves low at the base, leaving the clump itself in place. Flowering stems add seasonal height above the foliage; remove spent flowers when a tidier outline or less self-sowing is wanted. Established clumps can be divided in spring or fall, making it practical to refresh a border line or extend the planting into another part of the plan.^[1][2]