Short answer: sprinkle 10 to 15 g of chervil seed on a 10 × 20 inch tray of moist soil. Press it in, mist, cover, and keep it damp until most seeds sprout. Uncover, give bright but not hot light, and water from below. Cut at 14 to 21 days.
What is chervil?
Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) is a soft, lacy herb in the carrot family, part of the French fines herbes blend. As a microgreen, it has a mild parsley-anise flavour. Sprouting.com gives chervil 14 to 21 days.1 It prefers cooler conditions than most herbs.
How to grow chervil microgreens
- Day0
Sow
Spread the seed over moist potting mix and press it in.
- Day0–7
Damp blackout
Cover and mist daily. Keep it out of warm spots.
- Day7
Light
Uncover once most seeds are up. Give bright, cool light.
- Day14–21
Harvest
Cut gently above the soil.
Tips for growing chervil microgreens
- Keep it cool. Chervil prefers cooler conditions than most herbs and can stall in a hot room.
- Use indirect light. Bright but not hot light gives the best colour without scorching the fine leaves.
- Water from below. The lacy leaves flatten easily if water is poured over them.
- Cut with sharp scissors. Chervil is delicate and bruises if handled roughly.
Problems and fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Slow or patchy start | Seed dried out or room too warm | Keep damp, move to a cooler spot |
| Wilting leaves | Too much heat or direct sun | Move out of direct sun |
| Mold at the base | Too wet, still air | Water less, add gentle airflow |
| Yellowing | Low light or harvested late | More light, cut earlier |
Chervil in the kitchen
Chervil is one of the French fines herbes, with parsley, chives and tarragon. Its soft anise flavour fades with heat, so add chervil microgreens at the very end. Try them on scrambled eggs, omelettes, buttered new potatoes, white fish, chicken and spring salads. They pair well with parsley and leek microgreens.
Growing chervil with other herbs
Chervil grows at a similar pace to parsley and dill, so you can start these slow herbs on the same day in separate small trays. Harvest each one when its leaves are ready, then mix them for a fresh fines herbes blend. Snip in a little leek or onion microgreens to stand in for chives. A small 10 × 10 inch tray of each gives plenty for a week of cooking.
Storing and eating chervil microgreens
Chervil is delicate. Use it within 2 to 4 days. Add it to eggs, fish, chicken, potato salad and spring vegetables at the very end.
Chervil FAQ
What do chervil microgreens taste like?
Mild and delicate, between parsley and anise. The flavour is softer than tarragon or fennel.
How long do chervil microgreens take?
About 14 to 21 days. Keep the tray cool and damp while the seed sprouts.
How do I store chervil microgreens?
Store them dry in a lined container in the fridge and use them within 2 to 4 days. Chervil wilts faster than most microgreens.
Written by Michael
A passionate sprouting professional sharing practical tips for growing sprouts and microgreens at home. More about Michael
Sources
- Sprouting.com (Mumm's Sprouting Seeds). Product pages: days to sprout, soak time and yield for each seed. Link
