Chive talking: Why now is the time to plant these perennials

Here are five things to do in the garden this week:

Herbs . Chives can be planted now, and if you care for them properly, you will have them or their progeny for years since they propagate from bulbs and self-sown seeds. Chives are also perennial, and single clumps can expand and persist for years. You harvest them by cutting leaves nearly to ground level upon which they promptly begin to push up new foliage. There are garlic chives (Alium tuberosum) and common or onion chives (Allium schoenoprasum) — the latter being more common — and each has a taste that matches its name. Garlic chives have white flowers while onion chives’ flowers are pink. Grow them in full to partial sun and they will perform best with soil kept somewhat moist, although they will continue to grow despite a measure