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Chervil – planting, growing, and harvesting
Chervil is native to Asia and it is cultivated for its leaves which, due to their high content in essential oils, give a specific aroma to food, are frequently used in salads, spicy sauces, omelets, soups, meat, and fish dishes, etc.
It is used in medicine as a tonic remedy and for improving the functions of the digestive organs. In the pharmaceutical industry, it is used for the preparation of drugs.
Botanical characteristics
Chervil is an annual plant, with a very branched stem, 40-60 cm high, covered with large hairs, especially in the region of the nodes. The flowers are white and are arranged in compound umbels. It blooms in May-June. The fruits (improperly called seeds) are elongated and pointed at the end, with a smooth, blackish-brown surface. The germination capacity is about 95% and is maintained for 3-4 years.
Environmental requirements
Chervil sprouts early, being a cold-resistant plant. It is not very demanding in terms of light, therefore it can be grown in partially shaded places (among trees in orchards), sufficiently moist, and with high fertility. In case of drought and strong light, it quickly develops floral stems.
Cultivation
Chervil is cultivated through direct sowing, in simple rows or in strips, in stages (every two weeks), from March to September. 5 rows are sown on the raised layer of soil with a width of 104 cm. The distance between rows is 20 cm, and the plants are thinned to 25-30 cm per row.
Chervil is well suited to successive or associated cultivation. During the vegetative growth period, the crop has to be tended to through weeding and especially through irrigation, Chervil is a moisture-demanding plant.
Harvesting
It begins 30-35 days after sprouting and is done by cutting off the leaves on the outside of the rosette. The leaves are very perishable and can only be stored in normal environmental conditions for a day. By packing and storing them at a temperature of 10° C with a relative humidity of 90%, the storage period can be extended up to 9 days.
