There are two ways to grow chives: from a preexisting plant/cutting, or from seeds. Most gardeners recommend growing your chives from a bulb or from a start from another chive plant, because growing chives from seeds takes two full years. If you choose to grow from a preexisting plant (available at nurseries), select a start that is bright green, full, and is at least 3–5 inches (7.6–12.7 cm) in height. These are indicators of a healthy chive plant, and increase the likelihood of it flourishing in your garden.  Growing from seeds involves starting seeds indoors a few months prior to planting them outdoors, and transplanting in the springtime. The seeds will grow into plants, but they cannot be harvested for 2 years. Chive plants grow in bulbs that are divided every 3-4 years, so you can plant a divided bulb from a friend or neighbor’s chive plot, that will grow into an entirely new plant. Planting seeds, bulbs, and starts outdoors is the same process. Seeds are the only growing method that take a bit extra work prior to outdoor planting. Chives are sun-loving plants, and although they will still grow in shade, they will produce the biggest harvest when placed in full sun. Find a plot in your garden that has sunlight most of the day. If your garden is shaded, choose a patch that gets at least 4-6 hours of sunlight to satisfy the chives’ sun needs. Chives planted in partial sun will grow slowly, so expect smaller or less frequent harvests. Although some plants can grow in dense, hard soils, chives need light, loamy, and sandy soils with good drainage. If you’re working with soil that has a lot of clay or is very dense, mix in some sand to loosen it up. Additionally, add in a garden-quality compost mixture to mix nutrients into the soil. If possible, amend the soil 4-6 weeks prior to planting, so that the soil can have time to adjust to the changes. . Chives need soil with a pH between 6 and 7. Test the soil, and if it is too low, increase the pH by chopping agricultural lime into the soil using a garden trowel or small shovel. If it is too high, lower the pH by mixing in a fertilizer with urea phosphate or ammonium nitrate, or by adding compost, manure, or plant litter.   Test the pH using cabbage for an easy DIY method. You can test soil pH by using a store-bought test probe for exact measurements. Chives are summer-blooming plants that should be planted in the early spring. If you are starting your chives as seeds, start them indoors 8-10 weeks prior to your outdoor planting date. Planting outdoors should occur 1-2 weeks after the last frost of the winter, typically around March or April (depending on your growing zone).
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One-sentence summary -- Choose a growing method. Select a garden plot in full sun. Prepare your garden soil. Balance the pH of the soil before planting Know when to plant.


Pulling on the reins or bracing for too long against the horse may cause the horse to lean against your hands, rush off, or become unresponsive to your aids. If your half-halt was unsuccessful, try again in another stride, this time with a little more emphasis. Remember, most of the half-halt signal comes from the seat and leg aids. You may find you don't need to do anything to the reins at all. If you do, rather than tugging on them, squeeze them gently as though squeezing a sponge. Some horses need a half halt in the first strides of their cantor or trot in order to establish the rider's control over the pace. If you wait too long for the half-halt, the horse may have gathered too much momentum to execute it. It's important that you have a precise concept of the half-halt signal and what each aid is telling the horse. Some say the half-halt is like talking to the horse, but you must know what you want to say. In short, "ho and go."
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One-sentence summary -- Do not let the half-halt last longer than one stride. Do not overdo the reins. Do not wait too long for the half-halt. Communicate clearly to the horse with your aids.


Many people with Type II diabetes have not exercised for a number of years, and others suffer from obesity. The first goal is to exercise for a total of 30 minutes per day, but for the first few weeks to a month, you should break up your exercise into 10 to 15 minute intervals. After you are able to complete 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise at 1 time, you can try to join a dance, water aerobics, kickboxing, yoga, spinning, pilates or other class. You may find that you have more fun when you mix up your exercise routine with classes and at-home or gym workouts. Go to a local pool and consider taking a class in swimming, aqua aerobics, stretching or water walking. Water supports your body weight, making it easier on your joints and giving you resistance. Studies have shown that those diabetics who followed a mixed exercise regime, rather than simply weight training or doing aerobic exercise, had the largest improvement in their condition. Doctors suggest trading days you walk, bike or do other cardio exercises with days you use small weights or resistance bands so that you don't overload yourself, but you do both each week. The best chance you have at starting a good habit of exercise are when you look at them as fun activities. Working out with a friend and mixing up your routine may be ways to have more fun when you exercise. Keeping track of your daily diabetic workouts and improvements will spur you on to exercise more. It is the same behavioral reasoning that works with keeping a "contract" to exercise. You feel obligated to work out and then write down something positive in your journal. If your doctor gave you an "ideal weight" to reach through diet and exercise, track your progress in your journal. Limit yourself to using the scale only once per week, so that you can see your changes on a reasonable step by step basis, rather than based on daily ups and downs. Exercise should be more than about losing weight, and you should develop a program that you will continue long into the future. As part of a healthy lifestyle, you should already be testing yourself at regular, often daily times. If you find that your tests improve with exercise, then you will be encouraged to keep doing it.
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One-sentence summary -- Start slowly. Try classes at a local gym or recreational center. Start with a water exercise program. Create a mix of cardiovascular exercise and strength training. Choose exercises you enjoy. Journal about your exercise. Test yourself frequently.


Cutting ties with a friend can be really difficult, but sometimes it’s the best thing for you. If you try to save your friendship but your friend continues to do toxic behaviors, consider breaking up with your friend. Tell your friend that you can’t be friends with them anymore if you’re comfortable doing so. Otherwise, slowly distance yourself over time and let the friendship gradually fade away.You might tell your friend, “We’ve had some good times together, but I feel like we’ve grown apart. I don’t want to hold you back, so I think it’s best if we both focus on our other friendships.”
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One-sentence summary --
End the friendship if your friend isn’t willing to change.