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When to plant Chervil in Sumter County County,

Spring Chervil in Sumter County County goes in January 16–February 6, once nighttime temps stop dipping near freezing. A second sowing from October 11 to October 25 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Chervil in Sumter County, FL

Sumter County, Florida Zone 9b June

June in the garden — Sumter County, Florida

Here's what deserves your attention in Sumter County, Florida this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 9b and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost February 6
Avg. first frost December 6
Soil temp (4") 85°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.8 hrs

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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.

Sumter County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 6 and the first fall frost is December 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 303 days.

At an elevation of 463 feet, Sumter County receives approximately 60.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 96°F, so Chervil may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Chervil will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Chervil root diseases.

Sumter County, FL (Zone 9b) Year-round
303 days
Last Spring Frost February 6
303 growing days
First Fall Frost December 6
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Sumter County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5-6.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Chervil Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (208 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 27 Transplant: Jan 17 🍅 Harvest: Feb 28 – May 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (205 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 9 Transplant: Jan 30 🍅 Harvest: Mar 13 – May 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (198 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Feb 25 🍅 Harvest: Apr 8 – Jun 10

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.

Soil Compatibility in Sumter County

How your county's soil matches Chervil's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.0–6.1) is more acidic than Chervil prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Sumter County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Chervil will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Chervil.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.4%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Chervil.

How to Plant Chervil

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Chervil

9
successive plantings in your 303-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Oct 07 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 11.

Chervil Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Chervil

Chervil needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Chervil Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.2" 3.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Mar 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 8.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 8.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 7.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 6.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 2.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Sumter County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Chervil Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Chervil needs ~1,100 GDD — county provides 6,688 GDD Excellent fit

Chervil Planting Timeline — Sumter County, FL

Chervil Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 9 Jan 9 – Jan 23
Transplant Outdoors January 30 Jan 30 – Feb 13
Direct Sow January 16 Jan 16 – Feb 6
Harvest March 13 Mar 13 – May 15
Fall Sowing October 11 Oct 11 – Oct 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

40–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

303 days in Sumter County

Growing Tips for Chervil in Sumter County

Direct sow Chervil outdoors after February 06 in Sumter County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Sumter County dries quickly — mulch Chervil with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 96°F in Sumter County, provide afternoon shade for Chervil and water deeply in the morning.

Your generous 304.0-day season in Sumter County allows multiple plantings of Chervil. Sow every 20.0 days for continuous harvest.

Common pests for Chervil in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Chervil in Sumter County, FL?

Sumter County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 6. Plan your Chervil planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sumter County, FL?

Sumter County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 6 and first fall frost is December 6.

When should I plant Chervil in Sumter County, ?

In Sumter County, , plant Chervil after the last frost (around February 6) and before the first frost (around December 6). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Sumter County, for Chervil?

Sumter County sits in USDA Zone 9b. Chervil grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Chervil grow in Sumter County's climate?

Yes — Chervil grows well in Sumter County's temperate climate. Sumter County averages a 304-day frost-free season, with last frost around February 6 and first frost around December 6.

🌱

Your Sumter County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Sumter County (Zone 9b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Sumter County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.