Leeks and Chives

mardatha

I have tons of leeks, can I use them now in cooking? they are still quite slim but long. And when can you snip chives? can I just take some now? they look like round grass lol.

Yorkie1

Yes to both :-)

mardatha

Yaaay thanks. I only planted the chives because there was a nice picture of purple flowers on the packet LOL - haven't a clue what to do with them. But it will come to me !

3v3

mardatha wrote: »

Yaaay thanks. I only planted the chives because there was a nice picture of purple flowers on the packet LOL - haven't a clue what to do with them. But it will come to me !

Chives are delicious on hot potato salad; in omlettes; egg sandwiches; green salads etc.

Try not to let them go to flower though (not sure why, but that is what I was told with a gift of chives and they are still going strong several years later). Pretty purple flowers they may be, but I was told you really don't want to get to that point

mardatha

So cut them and use them now? dry them or freeze them maybe?

Barneysmom

Yes, eat them or freeze them or send them to me :)

earlybird

mardatha wrote: »

So cut them and use them now? dry them or freeze them maybe?

My chives are in their 2nd year now, i just nip off any flower buds i spot and just cut a small bunch of chives as needed, leaving 1 inch behind for regrowth.

annie123

How comes you got leeks Mar?, mine are still the same size as your chives! I don't get any usable ones till the autumn.

http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_veg_diary/fruit_veg_mini_project_june_3a_chives.asp

I have loads of chive plants as the bees love them. You can get 3 or 4 crops from them each year, dont forget to bring it in for the winter.

Give the RV a fright and serve up a salad with chive flowers on it

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Bees love chive flowers - so I've got some a quick buzz away from the beans

mardatha

I bought baby leeks, not seed. the RV would have a fit and throw them at me LOL

valk_scot

I let my chives flower. The bees adore chives and the chives also seed around the garden, so plenty for next year! After flowering I cut the clump down to a couple of inches high and I get new shoots for the rest of the year. Never bothered to bring mine under shelter for the winter.

As to leeks yes you can use them now raw ...treat as chives...or they're nice in stir fries.