Chives are the smallest of the onion family. Its name comes from the French word cive. It`s used in the kitchen for its leaves on fish potatoes and soups.
In the Garden: In the Potager Garden, I think it looks best as a border or a beautiful purple clump in the centre of a circle. It also serves a secondary purpose by repelling pests. Chives are one of the `fine herbes` of French cuisine, which also include tarragon, chervile and parsley. They bloom in May and June.
In the Kitchen: Chives need to be chopped before drying or freezing. Spread them out on a cookie sheet and let them dry a little to prevent freezer burn, put them in a freezer bag and try to remove as much air as you can before freezing.
Medicinal Properties: Chives lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
nd watch the bees drift around. Even if you can't own acres of filled with lavender, you can still enjoy lavender in a small garden as an edging plant. Lavender does best in dry, sandy or gravelly soil in full sun. All lavender needs little or no fertilizer and good air circulation. Root rot can be a problem in wet areas. 