Do you want to know everything about growing chervil? If so, then this guide is just for you.
Chervil is an outstanding herb that perishes fast once harvested. It has a delicious flavor as a herb and gives a little aniseed and parsley-like taste. The plant grows outstandingly in rich soil, and it’s quite delicate. This means you shouldn’t disturb a growing chervil plant.
Also, you must plant chervil when the threat of frost has passed. There are a lot of things to consider when growing chervil. Wondering what we are talking about? Read through:
What is Chervil and What can it be Used for?
Known as a culinary herb, chervil comes from the Apiaceae family, which is a lot similar to cilantro and parsley. However, the strange thing is that chervil has a different taste than cilantro. Chervil is native to Causcaus that is quite popular in areas like Asia, North America, and Europe.
Chervil is a popular herb in French dishes. You can include it in eggs, soups, sauces, etc. Besides food, the flowers and leaves of chervil are ideal for medicinal uses, including in folk medicine and herbal medicine. Not just that, chervil is filled with essential oils that can treat respiratory, gastrointestinal, and muscle/joint pain.
Soil Requirements for Growing Chervil
Speaking of the chervil soil requirements, the plant requires rich and loamy soil with added compost. It also needs a soil pH of about 6 to 6.7, is well-draining, and is rich in organic matter.
If you want the plant to grow better and you do not want the soil to dry out, then mix it with sphagnum peat moss and coconut coir. You can also cover the soil with wet newspaper to ensure that the soil maintains its wet condition.
How to Grow Chervil?
Now that you know about the requirements of the chervil, let’s learn about how to grow the plant. Make sure you have all the herb-growing accessories before you start the process. Here are some of the ways by which you can do so:
Growing Chervil from Seeds/Cuttings
Before you start with the process, select a planting location. After finalizing, sow the seeds in that particular place. Make sure that the place receives full sun to light shade. If you are in a warm area, plant them in an area with afternoon shade.
Sow the seeds in about ⅛ inches of soil and press it so that it stays moist. This will ensure that chervil seedlings come out within 14 to 28 days.
To plant chervil from cuttings, fill any container with the potting mix so it can hold cuttings from the rootings. Choose green and soft stems for cuttings. Then use a sterilized scissor/blade to make a clean cut. Although it is optional, dip the end of the cutting in the rooting hormone.
Dig a hole in the planting mix and carefully plant it inside the potting mix. After that, tap the soil around it. Make sure you choose a large container so that many cuttings can fit inside the container.
Growing Chervil in Pots
To grow chervil in pots, choose a high-quality pot or container. Make sure to keep the soil moist and choose a container/pot that is 8 inches in width and about a foot deep. This is the ideal measurement to accommodate the taproot.
Next, add in the potting mix with additionals like peat moss, perlite, and coconut noir. Then, sow the seeds/cuttings, and water them as necessary.
Growing Chervil Indoors and Outdoors
To grow chervil indoors, make sure to keep the plant near a sunny window, so it can receive direct sunlight. But, if you don’t have sunlight, you can look for alternatives like grow light and LED lighting. You must also choose well-draining soil and the right growing medium, or it may result in root rots.
Similarly, if you want to know about growing chervil outdoors or outdoor herb garden, look for a shady spot instead of direct sun. You must look for soil with a rake or ones that have garden iron. You must also water generously while planting (but don’t be too generous).
How to Maintain Chervil?
Lastly, to maintain the chervil plant, follow the steps given below:
- Pour about an inch of water a week.
- Add in a light layer of soft bar or straw to regulate temperature and moisture.
- To prevent chervil from bolting, trim the plant to ensure fuller growth.
- For a steady supply, start new plants through a rotating schedule.
Hopefully, now you know everything about growing chervil from scratch.
