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When to Plant Chervil in McDonald County, MO

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.

McDonald County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 202 days.

At an elevation of 977 feet, McDonald County receives approximately 39.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chervil during the growing season.

McDonald County, MO (Zone 6b) Long season
202 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
202 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

McDonald County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: May 6 – Jul 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jul 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jul 28

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 368 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Chervil needs ~688 GDD — county provides 2,777 GDD Excellent fit

Chervil Planting Timeline โ€” McDonald County, MO

Chervil Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 18
Transplant Outdoors April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 15
Direct Sow March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 15
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Sep 1
Harvest May 13 May 13 โ€“ Jul 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

202 days

Growing Tips for McDonald 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 McDonald County, MO?

McDonald County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Chervil planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is McDonald County, MO?

McDonald County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 27.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help McDonald 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 McDonald County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.