Chervil Seeds - Anthriscus cerefolium

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

USDA Zones 3-10 - Chervil grows as a cool-season annual across all zones. Planting times must be adjusted based on local temperatures, as it will bolt (go to seed) in hot weather.

Best Performance in all Zones during the cool periods of early spring and fall. It thrives in temperatures between 60-70 degrees F and will produce the most tender, flavorful leaves under these conditions.

Northern Zones (3-6) - Direct sow in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Plant successive crops every 2-3 weeks until early summer for a continuous harvest. A late summer or early fall planting will provide a harvest until the first hard frost.

Hot Climate Zones (7-10) - Best planted in the fall for a winter and early spring harvest. Spring plantings are possible but the harvest window will be short before summer heat causes the plant to bolt. Provide afternoon shade to extend its growing season.

Soil Temperature - Germination is best in cool soil, with optimal temperatures between 55-65 degrees F. Germination can be slow or fail in soil that is too warm.

Growing Season - This is a very fast-growing herb, often ready for a light harvest in 4-6 weeks. It is best harvested continuously before it flowers, which can happen within 60 days in warming weather.

Learn more about USDA Hardiness Zones here

When to Plant:
Chervil is a cool-season herb. Direct sow seeds in the garden in early spring, about 2-4 weeks before your last average frost date. For a continuous supply, sow a new batch of seeds every 2-3 weeks until temperatures begin to regularly exceed 75 degrees F. You can begin sowing again in late summer or early fall for an autumn harvest.

Where to Plant:
Choose a location that receives partial shade or dappled sunlight. Full sun in cool climates is acceptable, but afternoon shade is essential in warmer areas to prevent bolting. Chervil prefers rich, moist, but well-drained soil. It's an excellent choice for container gardening or a kitchen-side herb patch.

How to Plant:

Chervil has a delicate taproot and does not transplant well, so direct sowing is highly recommended.

Prepare the soil by clearing the area of weeds and raking it smooth.

Sow seeds shallowly, about 1/4 inch deep, and cover lightly with fine soil.

Plant seeds or thin seedlings to be about 6-9 inches apart to allow for proper air circulation and growth.

Keep the soil consistently moist until germination occurs, which can take 7-14 days.

Care & Maintenance:

Watering: Provide consistent moisture. Do not let the soil dry out completely, as this can stress the plant and encourage it to bolt prematurely.

Fertilizing: Chervil does not require heavy feeding. Amending the soil with compost before planting is usually sufficient.

Harvesting: Begin harvesting the outer leaves when the plant is 4-6 inches tall. Snipping leaves regularly (a "cut-and-come-again" approach) will encourage the plant to produce more foliage. For the best flavor, harvest leaves in the morning.

Bolting: Once the plant sends up a flower stalk, the leaves will become bitter. You can try to prolong the harvest by snipping off flower stalks as they appear, but the plant's lifecycle is naturally short. Allow some plants to flower and set seed for a new crop the following season.