When to Plant Chervil in Sauk County, WI
Your April game plan for Sauk County, Wisconsin
Welcome to April in Zone 5a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
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Set out chervil seedlings
Harden off for 7 days — a little more sun each day — before planting. That's the difference between a seedling that thrives and one that stalls.
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Plant chervil from seed, right in the garden
Mark the row. Birds and stray feet both have opinions about unmarked beds.
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.
Sauk County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.
At an elevation of 1,002 feet, Sauk County receives approximately 30.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Chervil to ensure they mature before fall.
Sauk County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6-6.7
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 Sauk County
How your county's soil matches Chervil's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.0–6.7) is within Chervil's preferred range (6.0–7.0).
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Sauk County is excellent for Chervil — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.7%) — 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 08 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 29.
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 | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 2.2" | 3.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 2.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 3.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 2.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.2" | 2.1" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 2.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Sauk 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 — Sauk County, WI
Chervil Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 26 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Direct Sow | April 26 | Apr 26 – May 17 |
| Harvest | June 7 | Jun 7 – Aug 9 |
| Fall Sowing | July 15 | Jul 15 – Jul 29 |
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 | 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: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 4b
📆 Growing Season
157 days in Sauk County
Growing Tips for Chervil in Sauk County
Direct sow Chervil outdoors after May 03 in Sauk County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your generous 157.0-day season in Sauk 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 Sauk County, WI?
Sauk County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Chervil planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Sauk County, WI?
Sauk County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 7.
Your Sauk County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Sauk 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.