How on Earth do you get chives to germinate?

Mr. Vine Eye · March 2023

I’ve not had any success with growing chives from seed. Supposedly you can start them at any time of year. But I’ve tried three years in a row to grow them in seed compost starting in Spring and despite attending to them, not one single shoot.

The only success I have had is when, first year, I just sprinkled some in the garden and they came up in little patches the next year. That’s not really feasible now though, I need to start them in trays or pots for planting out in specific spots later on.

I’m starting to think that despite what the seed packets might say, chives actually need a cold period over winter before they’ll grow.

Has anyone successfully grown them indoors?

Busy-Lizzie · March 2023

I bought a potful from the SM, last year, hardened them off and planted into a largish pot outside. They are coming up well now.

I could never get spring onions to grow from seed.

Mr. Vine Eye · March 2023

@Busy-Lizzie - That’s a good idea. I’ve got lots in the garden that I could divide - regular chives. But I wanted to grow some garlic chives, for the different flowers. I’ve got seeds they just won’t grow for me!

Spring onions I’ve done, just sowing direct in a plant pot outside.

philippasmith2 · March 2023

I usually use the flower heads in salads but find that if I let one run to seed, it will quite often produce new plants which appear the following season.
It's a long time since I actually " sowed from seed " as I normally divide the clumps every couple of years or so which keeps me ( and them ) going

Obelixx · March 2023

I find dividing chives a very easy way to propagate chives, both th ebig ones with purple flowers and the finer, smaller ones with white flowers. They also happily self seed in pots nearby.

However, for some reason, I can't get seeds form the onion family to germinate either but I'm having another go this year. Beetroot seeds sown on the same day are starting to come thru but no onions or spring onions yet.

rowlandscastle444 · March 2023

The only problem I have with chives is that I can't get rid of them.
They were in the garden when we moved in 21 years ago, and self seed, often in undesirable places, each year.
That said, I do enjoy eating them - whether in a cheese sandwich, or just fresh as I go out to do a little gardening.

Eustace · March 2023

I have tried many times to grow chives from seed, but like @Mr. Vine Eye experienced, never even germinated. So, I divided a pot of SM chives and planted them. Though they seem healthy, they didn't flower last season. 🥺 So any tips to aid germination and flowering are most welcome 😀