Growing Chervil
Posted: Tuesday, September 15, 2009
by Carol Miller
Bric-A-Brac Korner
Chervil is one of our more aromatic kitchen herbs. It can be harvested throughout the summer by sowing at regular intervals. An aromatic and tasty plant.Chervil--A tasty, easy-to-grow herb
Chervil is an annual plant in the carrot family, the Umbelliferae. It has feathery, parsley-like leaves and the white flowers grow in the shape of a parasol.
Chervil will grow in any garden soil in either sun or shade and will also thrive in tubs. Make sure to grow plenty--not only can Chervil be used as a salad herb, but it can also replace Parsley or Curly Kale as a garnish.
Use like Parsley
Chervil is like mild Parsley with a hint of Tarragon, and can be substituted for Parsley. Use Chervil in salads, sauces, soups and egg dishes.
No need to "rotate"
Experience has shown that it is not necessary to rotate the Chervil bed from year to year to obtain the best harvest. But, Spinach and Chervil can be alternated each year.
Harvest immediately
Chervil should preferably be harvested before it begins to send up its flower-bearing stems since it does not taste as good once it has started to produce flowers. By sowing new seeds at regular intervals, enough Chervil can be harvested for both immediate use and for storing in the freezer. There is no flavor loss in the freezing process.
Many excellent properties
Chervil grows wild in Southern Europe and Western Asia and has been cultivated by Man since the Middle Ages. It was once thought to have diuretic properties, to ensure healthy digestion and sound sleep, and to cure headaches.
Sow in the spring or fall
Soon ready to harvest
Chervil is a fast-growing herb. Seeds sown in early spring produce "table ready" herbs after only 6 weeks and summer-sown chervil takes only 4-5 weeks. Plants sown later can be harvested over a longer period. They are less likely to flower and set seed at such a late point in the season as the days are too short.
Sow in rows
If lots of Chervil is desired, sow it in rows in a vegetable garden. Leave about 1 foot between the rows. The long seeds are not always easy to sow in straight lines. Sow at a little under 1 inch depth in the spring and a little more, but not over 1 1/2 inches, at the height of summer. Too deep sowing leads to uneven germination.
Water is a necessity
If the weather is dry, water the ground thoroughly, since this rapidly-growing plant uses a lot of water. Also, overdry plants tend to flower and go to seed early.
Chervil is ready to harvest when it is about 6 inches tall, before the stems have begun to elongate. Once this plant starts to flower, stems begin to shoot up and the leaves lose their taste. Chervil left to stand too long in the fall may produce leaves lacking in chlorophyll and the plants look pale and sick.
Plant DoctorNot many pests or diseases will attack Chervil, but there may be an occasional outbreak of aphids, although these can usually be washed away with the garden hose. If this doesn't work, use an insecticide, but remember to use only those approved for use on edible plants. Carefully follow directions and wait the required length of time before eating the herb. This goes for all edible plants.
Colorless leaves are leaves with no chlorophyll. This phenomenon may be noticeable tow
ards the end of the season and usually occurs when one has waited too long to harvest.NOTE: Pesticides not used according to label directions can be harmful to man, animals and plants. Use only pesticides that have labels with directions for home and garden use. Always read and follow label directions.
Buying TipsChervil seed must not be too old, since it loses its viability after the first year.
Lifespan: An annual herb which can be sown at intervals through the summer.
Season: From early spring through September. (Sow in the fall for spring harvest).
Difficulty quotient: Very easy.
In Brief
Size and growth rate
Chervil is a culinary herb in the carrot family. It is an annual with divided leaves and can reach a height of 2 feet, but should be harvested at about 6 inches.
Flowering and fragrance
The entire plant is strongly aromatic. The white, umbelliferate flowers have the same fragrance as the rest of the plant. Chervil destined for the table should be harvested before the plant comes into bloom.
Light and temperature
Chervil can grow in both sun and shade and in any summer temperature.
Watering and feeding
Water Chervil in dry periods, especially in the middle of the summer Add fertilizer to the soil every now and again between sowings.
Soil and transplanting
Chervil is sown in rows in the vegetable garden and needs no transplanting. Any good garden soil is fine.
Grooming
It is best to harvest Chervil when it reaches a height of about 6 inches.
Propagating
By seed which can be sown at regular intervals through the summer.
Environment
Chervil belongs in any vegetable or herb garden. An attractive plant with an aromatic fragrance.
For information on Choosing, Cultivating, Preserving and Using Herbs, please read my blog.
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