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When to plant Chervil in Fallon County, MT

In Fallon County, plant Chervil in spring between May 13 and June 3, once soil temps hold above 50°F. Fallon County's last frost averages May 20, so be cautious and check the 10-day forecast before planting tender crops. For a fall crop, sow between June 28 and July 12 — roughly 40–60 days before the first frost on September 20.

When to Plant Chervil in Fallon County, MT

Fallon County, Montana Zone 4b July

Your July planting checklist for Fallon County, Montana

Your garden in Fallon County, Montana is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this July.

Avg. last frost May 20
Avg. first frost September 20
Soil temp (4") 51°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.3 hrs
  1. Get chervil seeds going inside

    You're about 8 weeks out from your last frost — the perfect window to get these germinating indoors.

  2. Harvest chervil as they ripen

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

To set up a strong August, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: chervil

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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.

Fallon County, Montana is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 20 and the first fall frost is September 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 123 days.

At an elevation of 6,441 feet, Fallon County receives approximately 19.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Chervil to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Chervil successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Fallon County, MT (Zone 4b) Short season
123 days
Last Spring Frost May 20
123 growing days
First Fall Frost September 20

Fallon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Chervil Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 27 Transplant: Jun 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 14

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 Fallon County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–8.3) is more alkaline than Chervil prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Fallon County is excellent for Chervil — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Chervil.

How to Plant Chervil

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

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Chervil

3
successive plantings in your 123-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 22 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jun 28.

Chervil Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 2.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 1.4" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Jul 2.2" 1.6" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Aug 2.2" 1.9" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 2.2" 1.6" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Fallon 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 ~538 GDD — county provides 1,322 GDD Excellent fit

Chervil Planting Timeline — Fallon County, MT

Chervil Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 22
Transplant Outdoors May 13 May 13 – May 27
Direct Sow May 13 May 13 – Jun 3
Harvest June 24 Jun 24 – Aug 26
Fall Sowing June 28 Jun 28 – Jul 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Direct Sow Fall Sowing Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August 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: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

📆 Growing Season

123 days in Fallon County

Growing Tips for Chervil in Fallon County

Direct sow Chervil outdoors after May 20 in Fallon County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Fallon County, MT?

Fallon County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 20. Plan your Chervil planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fallon County, MT?

Fallon County, Montana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 20 and first fall frost is September 20.

When should I plant Chervil in Fallon County, MT?

In Fallon County, MT, plant Chervil after the last frost (around May 20) and before the first frost (around September 20). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Fallon County, MT for Chervil?

Fallon County sits in USDA Zone 4b. Chervil grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Chervil grow in Fallon County's climate?

Yes — Chervil grows well in Fallon County's temperate climate. Fallon County averages a 123-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 20 and first frost around September 20.

🌱

Your Fallon County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Fallon County (Zone 4b). 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 Fallon County, MT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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