When to Plant Chervil in Watonwan County, MN
May in Watonwan County, Minnesota — your action list
Welcome to May in Zone 5a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
- Starting indoors: chervil
- First harvests: chervil
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.
Watonwan County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 160 days.
At an elevation of 984 feet, Watonwan County receives approximately 33.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Chervil to ensure they mature before fall.
Watonwan County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.8-7.2
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Watonwan County
How your county's soil matches Chervil's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.8–7.2) overlaps with Chervil's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Watonwan County is excellent for Chervil — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (5.0%) — Chervil will thrive.
How to Plant Chervil
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Chervil
Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 07 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 28.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 2.2" | 3.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.2" | 3.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 3.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 3.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.2" | 2.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 2.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Watonwan 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 Planting Timeline — Watonwan County, MN
Chervil Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 22 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Direct Sow | April 15 | Apr 15 – May 6 |
| Harvest | June 3 | Jun 3 – Aug 5 |
| Fall Sowing | July 28 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
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: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5a
📆 Growing Season
160 days in Watonwan County
Growing Tips for Chervil in Watonwan County
Direct sow Chervil outdoors after April 29 in Watonwan County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 160.0-day season in Watonwan 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 →
Chervil in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Chervil in Watonwan County, MN?
Watonwan County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Chervil planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Watonwan County, MN?
Watonwan County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 6.
Your Watonwan County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Watonwan County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.