Highlights

cive , the versatile herbaceous plant fuck for its touchy oniony smack , thrive in well - maintained garden . Pruning is an essential practice thatpromotes healthy growth , increase yields , and raise the overall appearing of your chives . This comprehensive templet will walk you through the pace - by - step procedure of pruning chive , ensuring you harvest themaximum benefitsfrom your herb garden .

Benefits of Pruning Chives

When to Prune Chives

The best clip toprune chivesis in the spring orearly summertime , after the works has had a chance to establish itself . Avoid pruning during the winter months as the industrial plant is inactive and can be damage by frigid temperatures .

Step-by-Step Pruning Instructions

1 . Gather your tools : You will need asharp pairof scissor grip or shear and aclean clothor towel.2 . Remove flower stalk : If the chives have produced flower husk , cut them off at the al-Qaeda . This will prevent the plant fromputting energyinto producing flowers and seed , allowing it to focus on leaf production.3 . Trim back previous leaves : Identify any erstwhile ordamaged leavesand clip them back to the base of the plant . These leaf will no longer produce chives and canharbor pestsor diseases.4 . fragile out overcrowded industrial plant : If your chives are overcrowded , slim them out by removing weaker orsmaller plant life . This will provide theremaining plantstogrow strongerand produce more chives.5 . Cut backremaining go away : Once you have hit the flower stalks , onetime leaves , and thin out the industrial plant , cut backthe remaining leaves to about 2 - 3 inches above the land line . This will boost the growth of novel , tender shoots.6 . unobjectionable up detritus : After pruning , remove any detritus from the orbit around the chives . This will help toprevent diseaseand keep your garden await tidy .

After Pruning Care

After pruning , irrigate your chives thoroughly and fecundate them with abalanced plant food . This will avail the plant to regain from prune and promote new outgrowth .

Pruning for Specific Purposes

Harvesting Chives

If you are harvesting chives for immediate use , you cansimply cutthe leafage as needed . However , if you are reap for storage , it is best to crop theentire plant backto thesoil telephone line . This will further the growth of unexampled leaves that are more tender and flavorful .

Overwintering Chives

Incolder mood , chives must be overwintered to protect them from immobilize temperatures . To overwinter chives , contract backthe leaves to about 1 inch above the grease logical argument in the capitulation . hatch the plant with athick layerof mulch , such as straw or compost , to protect it from the coldness .

Troubleshooting Pruning Issues

My chives are not producing new growth.

My chives are turning yellow.

My chives are wilting.

Basics You Wanted To Know

Q : How often should I snip chives?A : Prune chives regularlythroughout thegrowing seasonto encourage fresh growth and increment yields . Q : Can Iprune chivesin the fall?A : Yes , you canprune chivesin the fall to prepare them for overwinter . Cut back the leaves to about 1 inch above thesoil lineand cover the plant with mulch . Q : How can I store pruned chives?A : Tostore pruned cive , wrap up them in adamp paper toweland place them in aplastic bagin the icebox . They will keep for up to a workweek .