Chervils in Barnton
Anthriscus cerefolium
A quick, cool-season herb for spring and autumn sowing in the UK. Grow it in moist, fertile soil or a pot in light shade, and keep sowing little and often for a steady supply of fresh leaves before it runs to seed in warmer weather.
Growing Guide
Step-by-step instructions for growing Chervil
Planting Calendar
Sow Seeds
12 Feb – 15 Augevery 3 weeksSow seeds thinly where they are to grow, from 12th February to 15th August. Cover with a light dusting of compost, as the seed needs light and cool conditions to germinate. Sow a fresh batch every 21 days for a longer run of leaves.
Thin Seedlings
29 May – 12 JunWhen seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them to the strongest plants. Aim for final spacing around so each plant has room to make soft, leafy growth.
Keep Moist
29 May – 6 OctFrom 29th May to 6th October, water the soil regularly so it stays evenly moist but not waterlogged. Mulch lightly if the bed dries fast, and give extra shade in hot spells to slow bolting.
Pinch Out Growing Tips
12 Jun – 6 OctFrom 12th June to 6th October, pinch the tips regularly to keep plants bushy and delay flowering. Pick little and often, and remove any flower stems as soon as they appear.
Harvest Leaves
26 Jun – 6 OctStart cutting from 26th June once plants are well filled out. Pick outer leaves or snip the tops regularly, and keep harvesting until the plants run to seed or the weather turns too warm.
Companion Plants
Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Chervil.
Good companions
Plants to avoid
Why companion planting matters
Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.
Suggested Varieties
Popular varieties of Chervil to consider
Commun Chervil
A standard green chervil with a good flavour for regular cutting.
Crispum
A curled form with finely divided leaves and a tidy habit.
Brussels Winter
A hardier selection suited to cooler conditions and longer picking.
Related Plants
Explore similar plants you might like
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Basil is a fragrant, tender herb whose leaves are a staple of summer cooking. Native to tropical regions, basil is treated as an annual in temperate climates like the UK because it cannot tolerate frost. It thrives in warm, sunny conditions and can be grown in garden beds or pots for a steady supply of fresh, flavourful leaves throughout the summer.
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are a hardy winter brassica (cabbage family) that form sturdy, leafy stems often around 60–90cm tall. They produce edible mini-cabbage buds along the stem from autumn through winter. Thanks to their cold tolerance, sprouts remain productive into late winter, and frost actually improves their sweetness.
Calabrese
Calabrese (broccoli) produces a large central head of tightly-packed green buds, followed by smaller side-shoots after the main head is cut. It’s a cool-season brassica crop. Grow it in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil and keep plants watered during dry spells. Harvest the heads while firm, then leave the stem in the ground to allow side-shoots to develop.