Is chervil easy to grow from seed?

Chervil is probably a lesser known annual herb but it deserves a spot in your kitchen herb garden. It is easily and quickly grown from seeds.

Is chervil hard to grow?

You can allow the flowers to seed themselves at the end of the season, or cut them for dried bouquets. Why should I grow chervil? Fresh chervil is difficult to find in stores and loses its flavor quickly after harvest. It’s also easy to grow on your own, and attractive in the garden.

Can you eat chervil seeds?

People mainly only use chervil leaves for cooking, but its flowers and seeds are edible as well. Much like the leaves, chervil flowers and seeds also have a delicate, anise-like flavor.

What is a chervil seed?

(Anthriscus cerefolium) Chervil is an annual herb in the parsley family. The name chervil is ultimately from the ancient Greek word “chairephyllon,” meaning “leaves of joy.” Seeds germinate in 7-14 days. Ideal germination temperature is 70F. Direct seed chervil, ¼ inch deep and 8-12 inches apart.

Can chervil be grown in pots?

Chervil grows well in containers, as long as you keep the soil evenly moist. Because of its low light requirements and preference for a temperate climate, it lends itself nicely to growing indoors on a windowsill. You’ll need a container that is at least 8 inches wide and a foot deep, to accommodate the taproot.

Can I grow chervil in containers?

Seedlings can take up to three weeks to appear. When large enough, thin out to leave seedlings 15cm (6in) apart. Alternatively fill small pots with seed compost, dampen, sow seeds thinly and cover. Place pots in a propagator until germinated.

Is a chervil poisonous?

Unlike other plants called chervil, rough chervil is poisonous. It can be distinguished by stems that are hairy and purple-spotted (or sometimes completely purple) and swollen below the stem branches (nodes). It grows to about 3 feet tall and flowers from April to June.

Should you let chervil flower?

Chervil is a prolific self-seeder. Remove a proportion of the flower heads to prevent being over run with seedlings, but allow some to remain to provide you with new plants for growing on.

How do you get seeds from chervil?

Sometime in August, there’s a crop of ripe chervil seed, looking just like caraway seed. To harvest the seed, I hold the cut stalks inside a large bowl or a paper bag, and rub the seed heads. After harvesting the seed, I clear out the patch, dig over the soil, and resow in the same place.

What can you do with chervil?

Ideas for using chervil in the kitchen

1. Add chopped chervil to your omelettes or scrambled eggs.
2. Sprinkle freshly chopped chervil over your salad.
3. Add chervil as a garnish to soup.
4. Add to a homemade potato salad.
5. Substitute parsley for chervil.
6. Add fresh leaves to white wine vinegar and use as a salad dressing.

When should I start chervil seeds?

Chervil may also be sown in the fall, about 60 days before the expected first frost. Transplant: Start seeds in spring, about 8 weeks before the last frost. Press seeds into the soil mix or just barely cover with vermiculite, as seeds require light to germinate.

What is the best way to grow chervil?

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.