General
A delicate, parsley-like plant with a hint of licorice, chervil is one of the traditional
fines herbes.
Latin
Anthriscus cerefolium
Family: Apiaceae
Difficulty
Easy
Season & Zone
Season: Cool season
Exposure: Sun or part-shade
Zone: 2-10
Timing
Start seeds indoors or direct sow in spring. Direct sow in summer and protect plants from midday sun for a winter crop - chervil is quite hardy. Keep transplanting to a minimum, as chervil develops a delicate taproot.
Starting
Sow seeds 5mm-1cm (¼-½") deep, and space plants 23-30cm (9-12") apart.
Growing
Plants will be ready for cutting 6-8 weeks after sowing. It's probably best to grow chervil in relatively damp soil in partial shade, as plants will bolt in hot mid-summer weather. Transplanting may also trigger bolting. Cover with a cloche in winter, and it will just keep growing until it blooms the following spring.
Harvest
Begin harvesting as needed 6-8 weeks after sowing, or when plants are 10cm (4") tall. Drying kills nearly all the flavour of the leaves, so freezing is best for long term storage.
