Propagate your own chives for free! Try these green farming techniques to jump start your herb garden this spring. Using fresh herbs in your favorite meals cuts back on sodium and adds tons of flavor. (Not to mention healthy physical activity from gardening). So let’s get started:
Last season's chives ready to be pulled
Step 1: Pull it
Dig up your largest chive plants by using a broadfork to loosen the soil. Shake away any excess mud from the root ball. If your chives are in a pot simply massage the base of the pot until you feel the potting soil loosen. Work the entire plant slowly out of the pot by alternating massaging and turning upside down. Then pull!
Chives divide easily with a garden knife
Step 2: Cut it
Lay out the entire chive plant on a work surface. Using a sharp garden knife cut the chive plant into 4 sections making sure to slice through the root ball. Separate each new mini chive bunch.
Mini chives ready for new pots
Step 3: Pot it
Now it’s time to pot ‘em up. It’s easy to get free used pots from garden supply centers or nurseries. Pick a size that gives each mini chive plant plenty of room to grow. Use coco peat blend organic potting soil to fill each pot half way. Place one mini chive plant into each pot and continue to fill the rest of the pot with potting soil. Water each one until the soil has absorbed all the water and they’re nice and heavy. Let them drain over night. Use a left over plant i.d. tag to label each pot. We’ve found that recycled garden party utensils make perfect plant i.d. tags too.
Step 4: Give it
Now for the fun part! Keep 3 of your mini herb plants for your kitchen garden and give away 1 to a friend. Next spring, repeat the process and soon enough you’ll have your very own chive farm.
Your chive farm has begun!
