Chervil (Citrus maxima) is a tart and sweet plant that grows best in sunny areas. Like many other citrus plants, chervil is tolerant to dry spells and loves moisture. Like most citrus plants, chervil has the beautiful foliage of a variety of wildflowers. In particular, the sweet orange flowers of the chervil are favored by many for decorative purposes. Though chervil has many uses, it is an excellent choice as a culinary herb. Growing chervil is simple because of the tender roots that make easy growing and harvesting.
When you plant chervil, you need to prepare the soil for your seeds and planting. The soil should be well drained to eliminate evaporation. Keep your seedlings dry until the weather is warm, about sixty days. Much like cilantro, chervil tends to bolt quickly in warm weather, so keep this in mind when choosing where to plant your seedlings.
If you are growing chervil in containers, you must use a rich potting soil, which is free from sand, silt and clay. Clay soil encourages the growth of fungus spores, which can harm your plants. On the other hand, sandy soils are ideal for growing cedar woodsylinga, a vine that produces lovely little blue flowers. Before you plant your seedlings, sift the soil and pick healthy plants.
In addition to growing herbs in your garden, there is another way to enjoy chervil. You can make herbal teas with chervil leaves, an interesting and delicious way to experience herbal pleasures in your own garden. Recipes using this herb include cherry syrup, chervil jellies, chervil bread, and cider. These tasty treats will taste great and leave your guests asking for more.
To prepare these delicious treats, mix the dried chervil leaves with water and then pour the mixture into small wooden or metal tubs. Fill the pots with water so that the soil is well-drained but not soaking wet. Place your seeds per the soil and let them grow until the seeds pop out through the soil.
When the plant starts to pop out, remove the seeds. Put the plant into an open area, sunny and without shade for two weeks. Harvest the seeds every two to three weeks. Store the seedlings in airtight containers, and fertilize them regularly to ensure healthy growth. These chervil growing tips are quick and simple, but can be a terrific first step for getting started with your own garden.
Planting chervil plants is an attractive way to add color to your garden. Your seedlings will be hardy and survive transplanting with ease. You can also alternate different colors of chervil plants for a unique look. This will keep your garden looking natural.
Frost is the biggest threat to growing herbs, but it can be overcome with proper irrigation and adequate food for the seedlings. When frost does strike, plant berries early in the growing season to provide the seeds with as much essential warmth as possible. Chervil growing tips can help you avoid the dangers of frost and ensure a successful planting year.
As the warm weather approaches, it is time to prune your plants. Remove branches that are crowding your herb garden space and trim back hedges to allow sunlight to flow freely. Always prune as the soil will soon be warm again after the cool weather is over. You should be able to harvest all of the growing chervil plants during the spring.
If you prefer to grow chervils from seed, try growing them in small containers. Seedlings will require larger containers, but they will bloom well if you choose the right plants. Common plants to use for this purpose are radishes, small turnips, and carrots. Make sure these same plants are not grown alongside aphids or dwarf chinchillas. The chervil rootstock will tolerate most other vegetable pests, but the aphids and dwarf chinchillas could eat the roots of your radishes and carrots.
If you plan on planting chervils that are already in pots, do so at an appropriate time. The fastest way to cultivate chervils is by planting them straight from seed. If you plant them too early, they may be sprouting before the aphids have a chance to attack them. Place your seeds about two to three inches deep in your soil. If you plan on planting them in larger containers, make sure they are planted in the holes they were purchased in, and allow enough time for the soil to settle.
The chervil rootstock can be planted directly into your garden, if you know where to look. It can also be grown successfully in the garden by itself. The most difficult of climates to grow chervil in is a cooler climate with temperatures around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. It needs little care once it grows up to about twelve inches tall.