Chaerophyllum bulbosum
chervil root
Common names: root chervil, earth chestnut
Photo: Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen · Public Domain · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
Chervil root (Chaerophyllum bulbosum) is a nearly forgotten root vegetable from the Apiaceae family that was prized in 19th‑century domestic gardens. Its small, roundish tubers taste sweet and chestnut‑like when cooked, with a delicate sweetness. The seed requires several weeks of cold to germinate, so sow in autumn rather than spring. The plant retreats in summer while the tubers continue to develop underground, ready for harvest the following year.
Care instructions
Sow the seeds in October or November directly into the garden; they need winter cold to germinate. Choose a loose, humus‑rich soil free of standing water, preferably a site that has not previously grown other Apiaceae. Keep the area weed‑free in spring once the fine leaves appear, as young plants grow slowly. Water moderately and allow the soil to dry out between waterings; the tuber does not tolerate waterlogging. Harvest from July when the foliage turns yellow and wilts; dig up the tubers and store them in a cool, dark place until the next sowing.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, humus-rich, loamy, nutrient-rich
Feeding
Medium feeder
Companion planting
Good neighbors
amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae)
Umbellifers and alliums confuse each other's pests (carrot fly, onion fly).
For example GarlicOnionLeekChivesDaffodilRocambole and 12 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
daisy family (Asteraceae)
Calendula and Tagetes next to carrots keep the carrot fly away with their scent.
For example Head lettuceTagetes patulaCalendulaSunflowerCommon coneflowerFall Aster and 57 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
cabbage family (Brassicaceae)
You can pair celery and dill with all Brassicaceae because they repel the cabbage whitefly with their scent, a proven companion.
For example White cabbageKohlrabiRadishKalebroccolicauliflower and 34 more species in the catalogue
Source: Bio-Gärtnerei Mixed-culture Practice
legume family (Fabaceae)
Peas and beans provide carrot and celery with nitrogen and grow as shallow-rooted plants without competition next to each other.
For example PeaBush beanPole beanBroad beanMarker peaSugar pea and 31 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
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