herb · direct sow
Chervil: how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating chervil a few times a week needs about 193 plants in ~145 sq ft, worth about $193 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$8.00/lb retail — an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 49 | ~37 sq ft | ~114 | ~$49 |
| 2 people | 97 | ~73 sq ft | ~224 | ~$97 |
| 4 people | 193 | ~145 sq ft | ~446 | ~$193 |
| 6 people | 289 | ~217 sq ft | ~667 | ~$289 |
Spacing
9" in row · 12" between rows
Sow depth
0.125"
Days to harvest
50 from seed
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Apr 24 – May 29 | Jul 21 – Sep 1 |
| Zone 4 | Apr 19 – May 24 | Jul 31 – Sep 11 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 9 – May 14 | Aug 10 – Sep 21 |
| Zone 6 | Mar 30 – May 4 | Aug 20 – Oct 1 |
| Zone 7 | Mar 15 – Apr 19 | Aug 30 – Oct 11 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 4 – Apr 8 | Sep 20 – Nov 1 |
| Zone 9 | Jan 30 – Mar 6 | Oct 10 – Nov 21 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 10 – Feb 14 | Oct 20 – Dec 1 |
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Yield
About 0.125 lbs per plant over ~8 productive weeks (~0.125 lb). Re-sow every ~14 days for a steady supply instead of one glut.
Watch for
Carrot rust fly · Parsleyworm · Aphids — the pest guide covers organic fixes for each, and Pest Radar shows what gardeners near you are reporting right now.
Neighbors
Plays well with lettuce-leaf, romaine, spinach, carrot.
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code — not just your zone — in about 60 seconds.