Greene, have you ever used the root parts of the garlic chives? I had a clump that was where I didn't want it and I didn't really have a place that I wanted to move it to so I just discarded it, but it seemed like it had some pretty nice roots, almost like green onions, on it. I have no idea why I didn't at least keep them to try...
Jeanne, they should do fine in a raised bed, although I've heard other people say that the bulbs seem to turn out smaller. I know exactly what you mean about the snow and the ground needing to warm up; I was thinking about covering my asparagus patch with some "floating row cover" to help it warm up a little quicker, but couldn't jab the "staples" into the ground yet
March always makes me SO impatient!!
