When to plant Chervil in Subtropical Australia

Subtropical zone — applies to Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Coffs Harbour, Lismore and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Temperate · Cool · Tropical · Arid.

Sow chervil direct from March to September, working with the cooler, milder half of the subtropical year that this delicate herb prefers. Seed germinates in 14-21 days, so sow it 6-10 mm deep straight into the bed, since chervil dislikes transplanting. Thin seedlings to 30 cm apart in rows 20-25 cm apart. Fast and tender, chervil is ready to pick in just 50-70 days, making it a rewarding cool-season leaf for shaded corners of Brisbane and Lismore gardens where afternoon sun does not scorch it.

Sowing calendar — subtropical zone

Green months are your sowing window: March to September.

Growing notes

Chervil is a shade-loving, cool-season herb, and the two ways it fails in the subtropics both come back to warmth. The first is bolting. As soon as the weather heats up or the plant dries out, chervil runs to seed and the leaves turn bitter. Keep it to the autumn-and-winter window, sow in part shade rather than full sun, and never let the bed dry out; steady moisture is the difference between weeks of leaf and a quick bolt.

The second failure is scorch. Unlike most herbs, chervil resents strong sun and will brown and wilt in an exposed subtropical position. A spot with morning light and afternoon shade, or dappled light under taller plants, suits it far better.

Because it bolts quickly and picks fast at 50-70 days, the smart approach is successive sowing. Put in a short row every three or four weeks through the cool season so you always have tender young leaves, rather than one big planting that all runs to seed at once. Sow direct and thin rather than transplant, as disturbed roots trigger bolting. Harvest the outer leaves regularly to keep plants productive, and let one plant flower at the end of the season to self-seed for next year.

Chervil at a glance

Common questions

Why does my chervil keep bolting to seed?

Chervil bolts as soon as it gets too warm or too dry, which happens fast in the subtropics. Grow it only through the cooler months, keep it in part shade, and never let the soil dry out, then sow small batches every few weeks so you always have fresh leaf.

Does chervil need sun or shade?

Chervil prefers part shade and resents strong sun, which scorches its delicate leaves. A position with morning light and afternoon shade, or dappled light under taller plants, keeps it cool and productive in a subtropical garden.

Can you transplant chervil seedlings?

It is best to sow chervil direct and thin the seedlings, as it dislikes root disturbance. Transplanting often triggers premature bolting, so sow 6-10 mm deep where it will grow and thin to 30 cm apart instead.

How long does chervil take to grow?

Chervil is quick, ready to harvest in about 50-70 days. Because it is fast and prone to bolting, sow a short row every three or four weeks through autumn and winter to keep a steady supply of tender leaves.

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