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Have you ever made anything with chive blossoms?

Most people only use the green stems, which is fine, but I think they're leaving the best part in the garden.

Right now those beautiful mauve flowers are at their peak, perfect to use as a colourful garnish or to add real flavour and colour to various recipes.

What to Make with Chive Blossoms:

• ​Flaky Chive Blossom Biscuits — my repeat favourite every single year. The blossoms add flavour, colour, and a little bit of magic.
• ​Chive Blossom Infused Vinegar — it turns a gorgeous pink-purple and makes the best vinaigrette. So easy, looks beautiful, great as a gift.
• ​Chive Blossom Finishing Salt — sprinkle on roasted potatoes, focaccia, grilled meats, or eggs. Simple and so good.
• ​Herb Butter — use both the stems and blossoms. On top of potatoes, bread, grilled veggies, or a steak — herb butter makes everything better.

*A Cautionary Note: Once remaining blossoms fade and dry out, Remove the Chive Blossoms, pinch them off so the seeds don't escape and invade every nook and cranny of your garden and pathways (ask me how I know this!).

Freeze or Dry Chives

Now's a really good time to preserve chives. Chives prefer cool weather and once they flower, growth will slow. So if you want to save some for winter, do it now. You can cut the whole patch to about 2 inches above the ground, they'll regrow just like your lawn does after mowing. Which means you'll get even more chives!

As for whether to dry or freeze, personally, I think frozen chives hold their flavour much better than dried chives, but I show you both methods here:

​How to Cut and Preserve Chives ​

Other Herbs Need Loving Too!

Other herbs like oregano, basil, mint and rosemary also need close attention this time of year. Oregano is ready to harvest and basil, mint and rosemary need regular pruning for fuller, bushier growth and to slow down the flowering.

​How to Cut Basil for a Full Harvest All Season Long ​

​How to Harvest and Prune Mint​

​How to Harvest and Dry Oregano​

​How to Cut and Dry Rosemary​

Gosh, I love this time of year! It just moves too fast.

What are you growing or finding at your local markets?

Talk soon, Getty