When to Plant Chervil in Colfax County, NM
Your May gardening checklist
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
-
Get chervil in the ground
Your last frost (May 15) has passed. These warm-season crops can handle outdoor soil now.
-
Put chervil seeds straight in the ground
These tolerate cool soil, so you're not gambling by sowing now.
Looking ahead to 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.
Colfax County, New Mexico is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is September 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 134 days.
At an elevation of 5,131 feet, Colfax County receives approximately 15.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Chervil to ensure they mature before fall. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Chervil will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Chervil successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Colfax County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Sandy Loam
Soil pH
7.1-8.1
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 Colfax County
How your county's soil matches Chervil's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (7.1–8.1) is more alkaline than Chervil prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
Sandy soil in Colfax 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 (0.9%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Chervil.
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 Jul 28 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 18.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 10/10 — 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 | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 0.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 2.2" | 0.4" | 1.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 2.2" | 0.5" | 1.7" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 2.2" | 3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 2.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 2" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Colfax 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 — Colfax County, NM
Chervil Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 10 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 8 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Direct Sow | May 1 | May 1 – May 22 |
| Harvest | June 19 | Jun 19 – Aug 21 |
| Fall Sowing | July 18 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| 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 · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
40–60 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
134 days in Colfax County
Growing Tips for Chervil in Colfax County
Direct sow Chervil outdoors after May 15 in Colfax County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Sandy soil in Colfax County dries quickly — mulch Chervil with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.
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 Colfax County, NM?
Colfax County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 15. Plan your Chervil planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Colfax County, NM?
Colfax County, New Mexico is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is September 26.
Your Colfax County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Colfax County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.