How to Grow Garlic Chives | Health Benefits of Garlic Chives
Health Benefits of Garlic Chives
Garlic chives are part of the allium family, just like garlic. They are popular in Asian cooking and are preferred by many for the taste of garlic but in a more subtle flavor. They are not quite as overwhelming or spicy as garlic.
Garlic chives are rich in vitamin C. They are also a good source of beta carotene, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin A, potassium, and iron. They have only 30 calories per 100 grams, are low in fat, and high in protein and dietary fiber.
Garlic chives contain allicin, a sulphur-rich oil, that has been used since ancient times to heal wounds, cuts, and insect bites. The seeds are used to help treat liver, kidney, and digestive problems. Other benefits of garlic chives include improving blood flow, treating fatigue, and acting as an antidote for ingested poisons.
How to Grow Garlic Chives
Garlic chives grow easily from seed and are best to start indoors. Plant seeds about 1/4 inch deep in fiber pots. Keep them in darkness while germinating. Seedlings normally appear in 7-12 days. It is best to plant several seeds together to establish a clump of garlic chives.
How to Grow Garlic Chives Outdoors
Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. The pH level of the soil should be in the range of 4.5 to 8.3. Space the clumps of garlic chives about 9-12 inches apart. Keep the soil moist. Garlic chives are generally pest-free but if the soil becomes too soggy, they are susceptible to fungus diseases.
Harvesting Garlic Chives
It is best to not harvest the first year so the garlic chives can develop a good root system. Thereafter, you will want to harvest often after the leaves are about 6 inches in length. Only cut what is to be used and leave about 1 inch above the ground.
If garlic chives become woody, prune all the leaves down to an inch above the soil and allow new growth to begin.
Eating Garlic Chives
Garlic chives can be used to garnish salads and soups or they can be used to season butter, cream cheese, vegetables, and sauces. If cooking with garlic chives, add them just before serving to prevent them from becoming stringy and lose their flavor.
The flowers are edible and can be used like the leaves and the small bulbs of garlic chives can be used like you would use garlic.
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