Growing Chervil – How to Grow Chervil

How to Grow Chervil – A Guide to Growing Chervil

Chervil is a hardy plant and it can be used throughout the winter if grown in a sheltered spot or cold frame. It is also handy to grow a pot of chervil on the windowsill in the winter.

Varieties of Chervil

There are two varieties, curly leafed and flat leafed (both have the same flavour).

Pests and Problems with Chervil

Chervil is a problem free herb!

Growing Chervil

Sow chervil directly into soil or ordinary compost in partial shade (if sown in direct sun it can bolt). Chervil can be sown in succession from March throughout the summer.

Thin out seedlings to 15 cm (6 inches) between plants.

Harvesting Chervil

Leaves are usually ready for picking six to eight weeks after sowing. Picking the leaves regularly will stop the plant flowering and going to seed (bolting).

Eating & Storing Chervil

Chervil has a delicate taste of aniseed and caraway. It is best added raw, or at the end of cooking to retain the flavour.

Chervil is widely used in French cooking and is often used in eggs, white fish and chicken dishes. It is also used in cream or butter sauces as an accompaniment to white fish or shellfish. For a change try adding chervil to carrots or Potato Soup.

Chervil can be dried but it loses much of its flavour so it is best to use fresh chervil.

Fresh chervil can be stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to a week or chop the leaves and freeze with a little water in ice cubes. Another method is to chop the leaves and combine with butter then store in a fridge (short term) or freezer.

Additional Information on Chervil

Chervil has been claimed to repel slugs.