We are well into spring now. Spruce Pine (NC) is about two weeks behind the growing season of other communities, being at above 3,000′ elevation. Now, we are seeing signs of flowers and other plants rushing to bloom and producing seed for the next season.

For example, the chives that you see in this photo, having survived the very harsh, cold winter here, came up from last years planting. The freeze “killed” the above-ground plant but the bulb or crop of seeds were deep enough to have survived. Strangely, most all the plants shot straight up and formed the beautiful flowers that you see. This did not occur last season. Perhaps the plants knew that they had to replicate themselves quickly in order to prepare for a possible hard freeze next winter!

If you look closely at the flower, you will see in the very center there are about a half-dozen bulb shaped pods (click on the photo and you will see a very large view). When the “pods” mature, they will open up and drop a large number of very tiny, black seeds.

So, it appears that the plant can reproduce itself in two ways; the bulb that develops (chives ARE in the onion family) will divide and form new plants. Plus, the seed pods will also drop new seed just in case they are needed. I like that, for it has given me more than enough chive plants to flavor my baked potatoes, make a sandwich spread with creamed cheese and/or sour cream, perk up the flavor of soups and stews and many other delicacies.

These will last all summer and well after the lightest frosts. They can also be clipped and dried for winter use.

Now, if I can just discover a way to drop a piece of roast beef into the ground – – – !