Chervil
How do I sow chervil outdoors?
To sow chervil outdoors, choose a sunny or slightly shady spot with well-drained soil rich in organic matter. The ideal time to sow chervil is in spring, after the last frosts.
Before sowing, work the soil by hoeing to make it loose and weed-free. Sow the seeds about 1 cm deep, spacing them 20 cm apart. Tamp the soil lightly and water gently.
Keep the soil moist until the seeds have emerged. Once the plants are well developed, thin them out, leaving 10 cm between each plant. Mulch around the plants to keep the soil moist.
Beware of slugs and snails, which can damage young chervil plants. You can keep them away by placing wood ash around the plants. Harvest chervil leaves as and when you need them to encourage the production of new leaves.
How do I plant chervil?
To plant chervil in the ground, it is important to choose a sunny or semi-shaded location. Chervil prefers rich, well-drained, slightly moist soil. Before planting, we recommend loosening the soil by working it with a spading fork.
Chervil can be sown directly in the ground in spring, around March or April. It can also be transplanted from plants bought in garden centres. To do this, simply dig a small hole, place the chervil plant in it and fill in, packing the soil lightly around the base of the plant.
It's important to water chervil regularly, especially during dry spells, but not excessively to prevent root rot. In natural gardening, there is no need for chemical fertilisers; chervil is content with compost or organic mulch to enrich itself with nutrients.
How do I harvest chervil?
Chervil is a delicate plant that can easily be grown in a natural garden. The best time to harvest chervil is in spring, when the leaves are most tender and flavoursome. To harvest chervil, simply cut the stems close to the ground with scissors or a sharp knife. Take care not to remove more than a third of the plant to ensure regeneration.
Chervil can be stored in the fridge, wrapped in a damp cloth, for about a week. For longer storage, you can also freeze it. To do this, chop the leaves and stems then place them in airtight freezer bags.
Be careful not to use chemical fertilisers to grow your chervil, as this could alter its taste and flavour. Favour natural methods such as composting to feed your plant. By following these simple tips, you'll be able to enjoy an abundant harvest of fresh, delicious chervil to add to your dishes.
Chervil
- Type : Aromatic plants
- Subtype : Leafy vegetables
- Botanical Family : Apiaceae (umbelliferae)
Characteristics
- Lifecycle : Annual
- Exposure : Partial Shade
- Frost Hardiness : Frost Resistant
- Cultivation Difficulty : Medium
- Adult Height : 30 cm
Sowing & Planting
- Greenhouse Growing : Not Required
- Sowing Depth : 0.5 cm
- Plant Spacing : 10 cm
- Row Spacing : 20 cm
Maintenance
- Maintenance : Low
- Water Requirements : Moderate
Seeds
- Soil Type : Humus-rich
- Soil pH Preference : Neutral
- Pest Sensitivity : Moderate
- Disease Sensitivity : Moderate
- Weed Sensitivity : Moderate
- Pollination : Insect-pollinated
- Propagation : Sowing