Some plants will do double duty in your garden, adding a visually pleasing element while also proving useful for harvesting. Chives are especially popular as a way of boosting a recipe's flavor and adding a border to your vegetable plots.

The plant is a perennial member of the onion family. Jill MacKenzie, writing for the University of Minnesota Extension, describes chives as having hollow leaves which bear a resemblance to tall blades of grass. Purple flowers will also bloom on the plant, and these can be used to enhance any floral bouquet.

Chives have an oniony taste, making them a perfect complement for a number of recipes. They will fit in well among other herbs in soups, salads, or entrees.

The National Gardening Association says you can start raising chives in your garden by purchasing a plant, starting from seed, or even asking your neighbor to lend you a few bundles of the plant to start. Allowing the plant to self-sow will easily increase your crop of chives over the years.

If you are starting chives from seed, you can plant them in the spring as soon as your soil is ready. The Old Farmer's Almanac says it is also possible to start the plant indoors, about six to eight weeks before the last anticipated frost, before transplanting the chives to the garden.

Chives will grow best if they have plenty of sunlight. MacKenzie says a partially shaded area is also acceptable, although it should still get at least six to eight hours of sun.

The soil should be well-drained and rich in nutrients. The Old Farmer's Almanac recommends working a compost layer of four to six inches into the soil, to a depth of about six to eight inches. You can also add an all-purpose fertilizer at the beginning of the growing season.

Chives will grow best if the soil temperature is between 60 and 70 degrees. MacKenzie says the ideal pH level is between six and seven.

Cover seeds with a quarter-inch of soil. The seeds should be separated by at least four inches, though the National Gardening Association recommends placing clusters up to one-and-a-half feet apart. A layer of mulch will help retain moisture and keep weeds at bay.

Rainfall is generally sufficient to keep chives watered, but you'll want to keep the soil moist during dry conditions. Water deeply to reach the roots.

The gardening company Bonnie Plants says chives work well as a border plant in either a flower or vegetable garden. They can be planted alongside other herbs or vegetables that are likely to appear in the same recipe.

Remove flowers once they bloom. If they remain on the plant, chives will start to grow in other areas of the garden when the flower goes to seed. Like the leaves, the flowers of a chive plant are edible and can be used in soups or salads.

If you transplanted the chives, they will be ready for harvest after 30 days. Chives grown from seed will take longer, but can be harvested after 60 days.

The leaves should be cut down to a height of an inch or two, enough to allow the plant to continue growing through the summer. The Old Farmer's Almanac says chives can be harvested three or four times in their first year and every month in subsequent years.

Though they are best used when fresh, chives can also be frozen in an airtight container for use during the winter. Avoid drying out the leaves, as this will cause them to lose their flavor. Bonnie Plants says chives can also be preserved in herb butters, oils, or vinegars.

Several diseases or pests may affect the plant, including mildew, rust, thrips, and aphids. Spray the leaves with insecticidal soap if you notice any pests, and avoid excessive watering to prevent diseases.

Chives will be most productive if they are divided every three or four years. This process should be done in the spring, and several weeks of growth should be allowed before you harvest a divided plant.

At the end of the season, you can try to grow chives indoors through the winter. MacKenzie says the plant should be placed in a container with holes in the bottom for drainage. Use potting soil, do not fertilize the plant, and place it in an area with plenty of sunshine for the best results.