Garlic Chives

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A stand of garlic chives resembles nothing so much as a luxuriantly thick clump of grass.
A stand of garlic chives resembles nothing so much as a luxuriantly thick clump of grass.
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You can use the distinctive flavor of garlic chives to improve sandwiches, salads, and soups.
You can use the distinctive flavor of garlic chives to improve sandwiches, salads, and soups.

Growing herbs is a downright satisfying experience. After all, the little food enhancers not only add a variety of attractive foliage to the garden, but are also indispensable in the kitchen.

And if you’re looking for a touch of the exotic to add to your culinary creations, you might like to try garlic chives, an herb that’s long been used in Chinese cooking to intensify the flavor of stir-fried vegetables and meat dishes. (In fact, many Oriental homes maintain a large patch of the flavoring right outside the door.)

A cousin of the onions — they all belong to the genus Allium — this hardy plant is easy to grow (either outdoors in your garden or indoors in a pot), requires only minimal care, and yields thick clusters of grassy leaves. What’s more, the herb’s mild flavor provides a delightful alternative to the stronger taste of regular garlic.

Planting and Cultivation

You can grow your own supply of the savory vegetation from seeds or starter plants. In either case, give them a sunny spot and water them well. Within a few months the shoots will develop into grassy clumps approximately 8 to 10 inches across and 12 to 16 inches high — both broader and taller than domestic chives.

  • Published on Jan 1, 1983
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