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When to Plant Chervil in Madison County, NY

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.

Madison County, New York is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 155 days.

At an elevation of 420 feet, Madison County receives approximately 48.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Chervil during the growing season.

Madison County, NY (Zone 5a) Moderate season
155 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
155 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12

Madison County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 5 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 20 Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 31

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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Chervil needs ~725 GDD — county provides 2,247 GDD Excellent fit

Chervil Planting Timeline โ€” Madison County, NY

Chervil Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 19
Transplant Outdoors May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 17
Direct Sow April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 17
Fall Sowing August 3 Aug 3 โ€“ Aug 17
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 โ€“ Aug 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
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 5a

Growing Season

155 days

Growing Tips for Madison 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 Madison County, NY?

Madison County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Chervil planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Madison County, NY?

Madison County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 12.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Madison County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Madison County, NY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.