Chervil

Chervil is a lush, dark-green, leafy herb that is one of the four quintessential "fines herbes" of French cuisines, which include tarragon, chives, and parsley. Often called "gourmet parsley", it's delicate, lacy leaves has a subtle anise-like flavor and sweet aroma that makes this elegant herb great for French and European cuisine - from salads and omelets to herb butters and sauces. Cut fresh to add to soups and fish dishes or cook with potatoes, carrots, and meat dishes. Infuse with vinegars and sauces for more authentic flavor. Chervil is easy to grow, producing an abundant crop of 10"-15"-tall thin forest-green leaves, and thrives in a variety of climates. Grow Chervil in your gourmet herb garden for a luxurious way to elevate your cuisine!

Also Known As:  Gourmet Parsley, French Parsley, Sweet Cicely, Garden Chervil, Myrrhis, Sugandhawalaa, Cherfeuil, Kerbel, Cicely.

Plant Name:	Chervil, Winter
Latin Name:	Anthriscus cerefolium
Days to Germinate:	7-14
Days to Harvest:	60
Plant Height:	12 -18 Inches
Spread:	8 -12 Inches
Growth Habit:	Bush
USDA Zones:	3-10
Lifespan:	Annual
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 12 inches apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage.

Planting:

Winter Chervil is a cool-season crop and does well in the cool temperatures of Spring and Fall.

Starting Indoors: For earlier blooms, you may start planting indoors in containers 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring, keeping seedlings at least 60F. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when temperatures are consistently above 55F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the transplant holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Plant Chervil in the spring when the soil is at least 55F, about 2-4 weeks after the last frost in spring. For fall crops, direct sow seeds outdoors 6-8 weeks before the first frost. Established Chervil can be mulched and overwintered. To plant, make holes 1/4 inch deep and spaced 6 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 5 seeds per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting. Or, broadcast seeds and separate clumps to the desired spacing when seedlings come up. Provide afternoon shade if temperature are greather than 70F to reduce bolt-risk. If you want a continuous supply throughout the fall, you can sow seeds every 2-3 weeks.

Planting Depth:	1/4 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	6 inches
Between-Row Spacing:	12-18 inches

Care During the Season:

Watering: Water the plants, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils.

Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig to deeply to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.

Fertilizing: Once plants are established, you may optionally apply a light or diluted dressing of a complete fertilizer once a month during the growing season, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. Water plants after fertilizing.

Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.

Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Chervil can be harvested once the plants are about 6-8 inches tall, typically within 6–8 weeks after planting. Fully mature leaves may be harvested when dark green and full-length, about 10" long. Use sharp scissors or your fingers to pinch off the outer leaves first, allowing the inner leaves to continue growing. Regular harvesting of the leaves will encourage the plant to produce more foliage and delay bolting. For best taste, harvest before the flowering stage. Chervil leaves are delicate and best used fresh; however, they can be dried or frozen for later use. For seed harvesting, allow the plant to flower and set seeds, then collect the seeds once they turn brown and dry on the plant.