Spring planting doesn’t start when the air feels warm, It...Read More
Curled Chervil, also known as garden chervil, French parsley, or the gourmet’s parsley, is a delicate annual herb that is a close relative to cilantro and parsley. The plant produces small white flowers in the early summer which are followed by small, ribbed seeds. Popularly used in French cuisine, this herb is very similar in appearance to parsley but has a more black licorice-like flavor. Curled Chervil leaves are most often used as a flavoring agent for cooking and is often a main ingredient in a classic Béarnaise sauce, but also can be used to season poultry & meats, egg dishes, soups, salads or as a garnish. Along with the leaves, the roots and dried flowers are often used for useful purposes and can be made into tea blends to aid in skin conditions, digestive problems or high blood pressure.
NAME: Chervil (Anthriscus Cerefolium)
VARIETY: Curled
DAYS TO MATURITY: 60 – 70 days
POLLINATION: Open Pollinated
TYPE: Annual
HARDINESS ZONE: Zones 3 – 9
SUNLIGHT: Partial Sun
SOIL: Well-draining, fertile soil with a pH 6.1 – 7.5
SPACING: 8 – 12 inches
PLANT HEIGHT: 10 – 18 inches
TEMP: 55 – 85ºF
These seeds do not required stratification.
To learn more about Stratification, click here!
Starting Curled Chervil seeds indoors is not recommended due to their delicate taproots and preference for direct sowing.
If you still would like to start your seeds indoors, start them 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date in your area.
Fill seed trays or small pots with a well-draining potting mix.Sow the seeds on the surface of the soil and lightly press them in.
Keep the soil consistently moist and maintain a temperature of around 60-70°F (15-21°C) for optimal germination.
Place the trays in a location with plenty of sunlight or under grow lights.
Curled Chervil seeds typically germinate within 14-21 days.
Once the seedlings have developed several sets of true leaves, they can be transplanted carefully outdoors.
Plan to sow seeds immediately after your last frost passes since chervil seeds will not germinate well, if at all, in soil temperatures that are too warm
Sow seeds in loose, well-draining & fertile soil in an area that receives full to partial sun
Sow seeds 1 inch apart in rows spaced 1 foot apart
Sow seeds directly onto the surface of the soil and gently press them down so they don’t wash or blow away; do not cover with too much soil as these seeds need light to germinate
Water in well and germination will occur in 14 to 18 days.
Once seedlings emerge, thin so they are spaced 4 inches apart
After they grow to be 5 inches tall, thin once more so they are spaced 8 to 12 inches apart
Avoid getting chervil leaves wet as this can create mildew and disease issues
Harvest the outer leaves first from the bottom up
If the plant begins to flower the leaves will become bitter, so cut the plant down to 3 inches when this occurs to stimulate new, fresh growth
Hot weather will trigger ‘bolting’ and cause bitter tasting leaves and flowering
Succession plant new seeds every 6 weeks for a continues harvest of tender leaves
Harvest Curled Chervil leaves as needed once the plants have reached a height of about 6-8 inches.
Clip or snip off the outer leaves near the base of the plant, leaving the inner leaves to continue growing.
Use fresh Curled Chervil leaves immediately or store them in the refrigerator for up to one week.
For longer storage, dry the leaves thoroughly and store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
