When to Plant Chervil in Sweetwater County, WY
Top priorities for Sweetwater County, Wyoming gardeners in May
A quick May briefing for Sweetwater County, Wyoming gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.
-
Transplant chervil outside
Water the tray well an hour before you transplant. Roots slide out cleanly and settle in faster.
-
Put chervil seeds straight in the ground
Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest. A single big planting means a single big glut.
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.
Sweetwater County, Wyoming is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 29 and the first fall frost is September 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 114 days.
At an elevation of 7,922 feet, Sweetwater County receives approximately 12.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°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.
Sweetwater County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.2-7.7
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 Sweetwater County
How your county's soil matches Chervil's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.2–7.7) overlaps with Chervil's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Sweetwater County is excellent for Chervil — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Chervil.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). Annual compost additions will help 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 22 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 12.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 2.2" | 1.5" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 2.2" | 1" | 1.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 2.2" | 1.1" | 1.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 2.2" | 1.3" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 2.2" | 1" | 1.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Sweetwater 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 — Sweetwater County, WY
Chervil Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 24 | Apr 24 – May 8 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 22 | May 22 – Jun 5 |
| Direct Sow | May 15 | May 15 – Jun 5 |
| Harvest | July 3 | Jul 3 – Sep 4 |
| Fall Sowing | July 12 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| 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: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5a
📆 Growing Season
114 days in Sweetwater County
Growing Tips for Chervil in Sweetwater County
Direct sow Chervil outdoors after May 29 in Sweetwater 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 →
Chervil in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Chervil in Sweetwater County, WY?
Sweetwater County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 29. Plan your Chervil planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Sweetwater County, WY?
Sweetwater County, Wyoming is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 29 and first fall frost is September 20.
Your Sweetwater County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Sweetwater 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.