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When to Plant Chervil in Frederick County, MD

Chervil is a delicate herb with a subtle anise-parsley flavor, essential in French cuisine as part of fines herbes. It prefers cool conditions and partial shade.

Frederick County, Maryland is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 190 days.

At an elevation of 756 feet, Frederick County receives approximately 49.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chervil during the growing season.

Frederick County, MD (Zone 6b) Moderate season
190 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
190 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Frederick County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jul 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jul 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 5 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 16

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Chervil needs ~838 GDD — county provides 3,182 GDD Excellent fit

Chervil Planting Timeline โ€” Frederick County, MD

Chervil Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 23
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Fall Sowing August 14 Aug 14 โ€“ Aug 28
Harvest May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jul 23

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

190 days

Growing Tips for Frederick County

Direct sow in early spring or fall as chervil bolts in heat. Provide shade and cool conditions. Harvest outer leaves as needed; use fresh as it loses flavor when dried.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Chervil in Frederick County, MD?

Frederick County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Chervil planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Frederick County, MD?

Frederick County, Maryland is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 23.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Frederick County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Frederick County, MD. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.