Root Chervil in Zone 5a & 5b
Chaerophyllum bulbosum
Yes, root chervil grows in zones 5a and 5b. Plant it outside Feb 15–Feb 22.
When to plant root chervil in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Feb 15–Feb 22 |
| Estimated harvest | Jul 15–Jul 22 (~150 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 9 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 0.5-1 ft.
Root chervil, also called turnip-rooted chervil, is a minor French root vegetable in the carrot and parsnip family, with a single taproot and a flavor somewhere between carrot, parsnip, and chestnut.
How root chervil fits zone 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Root chervil needs about 150 days from sowing to first harvest.
Root Chervil planting windows in every zone
Zone 5b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5a & 5b (your zone) | Not usually | Feb 15–Feb 22 | Jul 15–Jul 22 |
| 6a & 6b | Not usually | Jan 31–Feb 7 | Jun 30–Jul 7 |
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Jan 16–Jan 23 | Jun 15–Jun 22 |
| 8a & 8b | Not usually | Dec 31–Jan 7 | May 30–Jun 6 |
Harvest dates are about 150 days after the sow or plant-out date.
Good companions
No well-established companions for root chervil.
Where to buy root chervil seeds
None of the seed suppliers we list carries root chervil seeds right now. A local garden center or a specialty seed house is the place to look.
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing root chervil" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
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Growing Root Chervil in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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