How to grow chives in a raised bed

Chives are the neatest, most obliging member of the onion family — a clump of fine, mild, oniony leaves you snip endlessly, topped with edible purple pompom flowers. Perfect for a raised-bed edge.

Quick facts

• Position: full sun to part shade
• Spacing: 15–20 cm clumps
• Tub depth: our 23 cm depth
• Time to harvest: 8–10 weeks, then for years

When to plant: Chives are a hardy perennial — plant in spring or autumn and the clump returns year after year, dying back a little in deep cold. Our free planting calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

Growing it in a raised bed: Plant into moist, rich mix. Snip the whole clump back now and then to keep fresh new growth coming, and divide congested clumps every few years.

Watering and feeding: Keep the mix evenly moist for tender leaves; a light feed keeps them lush.

Common pests: keep an eye out for aphids and thrips — though most herbs are pleasingly pest-resistant. See our safe pest guide.

Common problems: the main one to watch is rust and downy mildew, usually from damp, crowded conditions. Good airflow and morning watering prevent most.

Companion plants: Chives are a great all-round companion, said to deter aphids and pests from carrots and roses; the flowers feed bees. See our companion planting guide.

Harvest and storage: Snip leaves from the outside of the clump as needed; the flowers are edible too. Best used fresh.

More growing guides: garlic chives, spring onions and parsley.

Plan your patch: our free planting calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: Kolforn (Kolforn), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.